Waves

Waves

1. Waves at Rest and Resonance

   • The crest is the maximum positive amount of displacement from the equilibrium point.
   • The trough is the maximum negative amount of displacement from the equilibrium point.
   • The amplitude (A) is the distance from the equilibrium point to the crest.
   • The wavelength (λ) is the length from crest to crest or trough to trough and corresponds to one cycle.

2. Types

   • mechanical wave: is the one that needs a medium to travel
   • transverse wave: happens when the particles in a medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of the wave’s motion.
   • longitudinal wave: happens when the particles in a medium vibrate in the same direction of the wave’s motion.

3. Earthquakes and Waves

   • When a perturbation occurs because of the movement of the tectonic plates, it creates waves that spread through the surface of the earth.
   • longitudinal
   • Transverse
   • Rayleigh waves
   • Love waves