Progressive waves

Progressive waves

1. Waves are caused by oscillations

   • oscillations are complete-to-and-fro movements
   • e.g. oscillations of electrons cause radio waves
   • vibrations are a type of oscillation

2. waves occur when a disturbance at the source of wave causes particles to oscillate about a fixed central point

   • the central point is called the equilibrium position
   • when particles reach maximum displacement (amplitude) they start to move towards the central point, they pass through the central point as they move to the maximum displacement on the other side.

3. Progressive waves are called progressive waves because they move in a particular direction

   • transfers energy from the point of disturbance
   • The particles are not travelling with the wave, they merely oscillate up and down.

4. Waves can either travel as plane wave-fronts, from a plane source or as circular wave-fronts from a point source

5. KEY WORDS & DEFINITIONS

   • Displacement - the distance of a particle at any given moment from the equilibrium position
     • Physics code - s or x, SI unit is metres (m)
     • The displacement decreases the further the wave progresses from the source

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