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Wave properties
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Sound, light and ripples on a pond are all waves. They transfer energy without transferring matter.
Transverse and longitudinal
Transverse: the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. Examples: water waves and electromagnetic waves.
Longitudinal: the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer, with compressions and rarefactions. Example: sound.
Longitudinal: the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer, with compressions and rarefactions. Example: sound.
Describing a wave
Amplitude: the maximum displacement from the rest position.
Wavelength (λ): the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave.
Frequency (f): the number of waves passing a point each second, in hertz (Hz).
Period (T): the time for one wave, T = 1 ÷ f.
Wavelength (λ): the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave.
Frequency (f): the number of waves passing a point each second, in hertz (Hz).
Period (T): the time for one wave, T = 1 ÷ f.
Waves transfer energy
A wave transfers energy, not matter. A floating duck bobs up and down as a water wave passes, but it is not carried along with the wave.
A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz. Find its period.
- T = 1 ÷ f
- T = 1 ÷ 50
- = 0.02 s
Answer: 0.02 s
Transverse waves oscillate at right angles to energy transfer; longitudinal waves oscillate along it. Know amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period (T = 1 ÷ f).
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