Wave Basics

Wave Basics

1. Wave

   • waves travelling through a medium
     • particles of medium vibrate and transfer energy between each other
     • overall particles stay in same place
   • amplitude
     • displacement from rest position
   • wavelength
     • length of full cycle
   • frequency
     • number of complete waves per second
   • period
     • number of seconds it takes for 1 wave
     • period = 1 / frequency

2. Transverse

   • the vibrations are perpendicular to direction
   • transverse waves
     • all electromagnetic waves
     • seismic waves
     • ripples
   • they can travel on the surface of liquids but not through them

3. longitudinal

   • vibrations are parallel to direction
   • example
     • sound waves
     • p waves
   • squeeze and squash the medium they pass through
     • compressions
       • high pressure
       • lots of particles
     • rarefactions
       • low pressure
       • few particles