Waves - Definitions Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is a transverse wave?
A wave in which particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy travel
What is a longitudinal wave?
A wave in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer
The wavelength of a wave is..
The distance between two successive identical points that have the same pattern of oscillation
The distance a wave travels before repeating itself
The time period of a wave is…
The time it takes for one complete pattern of oscillation to occur at any point
What is the frequency of a wave?
The number of oscillations per unit time at any point
What does the ‘displacement’ of a wave mean?
The distance any point of the wave has moved from its mean (rest) position
What’s the amplitude of a wave?
The maximum displacement of a wave from its mean position
What is the ‘phase difference’
?
What is a wave?
Transfer energy without transferring matter
