Waves

Waves

1. Transfer of energy of one particle to another, without transferring medium

   • Require Medium

2. Terms

   • Period:
     • Time taken to produce one wavelength
   • Frequency
     • No. of wavelengths in one second
       • T= 1 / f
   • Pitch
     • basically frequency. Higher freq, higher pitch
   • Amplitude
     • Maximum displacement of particles from original position. (more energy, more amplitude)
       • SI Unit: metres (m)
   • 'In Phase'
     • Particles that are at same displacement, direction and speed
   • Wavelength
     • Shortest distance between two particles in phase
   • Wavefront
     • Imaginary line joining all adjacent 'in phase' particles
       • 2 types: circular and plane
   • Wave Speed
     • Distance travelled by wave per second
       • v = freq x wavelength

3. Types of Waves

   • Longitudinal
     • Movement of Particles: Parallel to direction of motion
       • Compression: Particles are closest together
         • Rarefaction: Particles are furthest apart
           • Distance between adjacent particles changes from maximum to minimum
             • Wave Graph
   • Transverse
     • Movement of Particles: Perpendicular to direction of motion
       • Peak: Highest point achieved by particle from original position
         • Trough: Lowest point achieved by particle from original position
           • Distance between adjacent particles remains constant
             • Wave Graph

4. Relationships

   • Speed Increase, Frequency/Wavelength Increase
   • Frequency Increase, Wavelength decrease
   • Depth changes speed (more depth, more speed, longer wavelength)
   • Medium changes speed (more dense, less speed)
   • Frequency ONLY affected by source

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