Wave Basics

Wave Basics

1. Waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring any matter

2. Waves have amplitude, wavelength and frequency

   • Amplitude = displacement from the position to the crest
   • Wavelength = Length of a full cycle of the wave (crest to crest)
   • Frequency = Number of complete waves passing a certain point per second OR the number of waves produced by a source each second. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz). 1 Hz is 1 wave per second
   • The period (T) is the time it takes (in s) for 1 complete wave to pass a point. F=1/T

3. Transverse waves have sideways oscillations

   • Transverse waves: Light and all other EM waves, Ripples on water, Waves on strings, A slinky spring wiggled up and down
   • In TRANSVERSE waves the oscillations are PERPENDICULAR (at 90') to the DIRECTION OF ENERGY TRANSFER of the wave

4. Longitudinal waves have oscillations along the same line

   • Longitudinal waves = Sound waves and ultrasound, Shock waves, Slinky spring when you push the end
   • Longitudinal waves squash up and stretch out the arrangement of particles in material they pass through, making compressions and refractions. Compressions are the bits under high pressure (lots of particles) and rarefactions are the bits under low pressure (fewer particles)
   • In LONGITUDINAL waves the oscillations are PARALLEL to the DIRECTION OF ENERGY TRANSFER of the wave

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