Year Nine Physics GCSE

Physics, Year Nine

Waves

• The highest point of the wave is called a Peak or a Crest.
• The lowest point is called the trough.
• Wavelength, aka Lambda, is the distance between a point on one wave to the same point on the next wave.
• For example Peak to Peak. Units: Metres, Centimetres
• Amplitude: The distance between rest position and the peak or trough. Units: Metres, Centimetres
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Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

• Transverse
• In Transverse waves the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel and energy transfer.
• Light and other types of electromagnetic radiation are examples of transverse waves.
• All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed through a vacuum, eg. space.
• Water waves and S waves are also transverse waves.
• Longitudinal
• In longitudinal waves the vibrations are at the same direction as the direction of travel and energy transfer.
• Sound wave and waves in a stretched spring are also longitudinal waves.
• Longitudinal waves show areas of increased pressure (compression) and areas of reduced pressure (rarefaction).

Transverse wave diagram