Waves

Waves

1. Transverse waves

   • The oscillation of particles is perpendicular to the direction in which the waves travels
   • Electromagnetic waves (e.g. light/radio waves)
     • Can travel through a vacuum
     • No particles moving in an electromagnet wave, as these waves are oscillations in electric and magnetic fields

2. Longitudinal waves

   • The oscillation of particles is parallel to the direction in which the wave travels
   • Made up of compressions and rarefractions
   • E.g. sound waves

3. Mechanical waves

   • e.g. waves on springs, sound waves
     • Travel through a medium
   • Longitudinal/transverse waves

4. Measuring waves

   • The greater the amplitude of a wave, the more energy it carries
   • Frequency = the number of wave crests passing a point in one second (hertz)
   • Speed of a wave
     • wave speed (m/s) = frequency (hertz) x wavelength (m)

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