Properties of Waves

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WHAT ARE WAVES:

Means of transferring energy from place to place w/o matter being transferred

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TRANSVERSE WAVES:

Oscillates (vibrates) at right angles to the direction in which energy or wave is moving

Coils of slinky vibrate across direction in which energy is moving

Light waves, waves on surface of water

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LONGTUDINAL WAVES:

Oscillates parallel or along the direction of the energy or wave

Coils of slinky vibrate in directions along its length

Sound waves

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DESCRIBING WAVES:

Amplitude (A) - maximum movement of particles from their resting position

Wavelength (λ) - distance between particular point on wave and same point on next wave E.G. 2 successive crests or troughs

Frequency (f) - number of waves produced each second by a source\

Time period (T) - time it takes for source to produce one wave

Frequency (Hz) = 1 / Time period (s) so f = 1/t or T=1/f

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THE WAVE EQUATION:

Wave speed (m/s) = Frequency (Hz) x Wavelength (m) so v = f x λ

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DIFFRACTION:

If barrier with large gap placed in path of waves, majority of waves passing through will continue in straight line

Regions to left and right of gap there will be no waves

If size of gap equal to wavelength of water waves, wave pattern shows there are waves to left and right of gap where previously absent

Waves have spread out from 'straight-on' direction

Spreading out = diffraction

Diffraction most noticeable when wavelength of waves approx. equal to size of aperture (hole) they are moving through

E.G. sound waves diffracting as passing through doorways