The Use of Waves

The Use of Waves

1. There are two types of waves

   • Transverse Waves: the oscillaitions are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer e.g. electromagnetic waves
   • Longitudinal Waves; the ossilations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer e.g. sound waves

2. Electromagnetic Spectrum

   • The spectrum extends from high frequency (gamma rays) to low frequency (radio waves)
   • Wavelength is the distance between waves
   • The amplitude is the peak movement of the wave from its rest point
   • The frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second. Measured in Hertz
   • Wave speed = frequency x wavelenghh

3. Reflection

   • This is when a wave strikes a reflective surface it changes direction.

4. Sound

   • Sound waves are longitudinial and cannot travel through a vacuum
   • The frequency of a sound wave is the number of vibrations produced per second.
   • As the pitch increases, the frequency becomes higher
   • Echoes are an example of sound being refelcted

5. Red Shift

   • When a light source moves away from you, the observed wavelength increases and the frequency decreases.