Wave

Wave

1. Types of waves

   • Longitudinal
     • Vibration is parallel to the direction of travel
       • e.g sound waves
         • - Required medium as it cannot travel through a vacuum
   • Transverse
     • vibration is perpendicular to direction of travel
       • e.g electromagnetic waves
         • -no medium required  - travel at a speed of light (3x10^8 m/s)

2. Diffraction and Interference

   • bending of waves as they pass around a barrier
     • when two barriers form a narrow slit, curved waves are formed
       • coherent waves of same f can be generated by diffracting single wave thourgh two or more narrow slits
         • When emitted from different sources, the interference pattern is formed
           • constructive intf.
             • -occurs along antinodal lines/ crest + crest/ trough + trough/ loud sound
           • destructive intf.
             • occurs along the nodal lines/ crest + trough = cancelled out / quiet sound
           • Superposition