Waves

Waves

1. Components

   • Peak: like the top of a hill
     • Through: like the bottom of a hill
       • Wave length: the length of a wave from left to right
         • Amplitude: the measure of how tall waves are above the centerline/rest position
           • Frequency: number of waves emitted per second measured in hertz
             • Equilibrium line: a horizontal line in the middle of a wave

2. Types

   • Transversal: Move from left to right vibrate at 90 degrees
     • Longitudinal: VIBRATE PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF WHICH THE WAVE ENERGY IS TRAVELLING
     • Pulse: a wave with only a shape moving from side to side
       • Periodic: Wave with a repeating continuous pattern which determines wave length and frequency
         • Mechanical: a wave that is an oscillation of matter, and therefore transfers energy through a medium
           • Electromagnetic: waves that are created as a result of vibrations between an electric field and a magnetic field

3. Formulas

   • Wave speed: WS=F*WL Frequency times wavelength
     • Total energy: E=1/2k*A squared half spring constant times amplitude squared

4. Wave interference

   • Constructive: When overlapping waves produce a wave with an amplitude that is the sum of the individual waves
     • Destructive: when overlapping waves produce a wave with an amplitude that is less than the sum of the individual waves