Science wave - Sec 3

What are wave

a disturbance that carries energy through matter

Transverse waves

a wave that disturbs the particles in the medium perpendicular to the direction of the

Longitudinal Waves

A wave that disturbs the particles in the medium parallel to the direction of the energy transfer.

Crest

the highest point of the wave

Trough

the lowest point of the wave

Compression

where the particles are close together

Rarefaction

where the particles are spread apart

Wavelength

The distance between one point on a wave and the exact same place on the next wave.

Phase

Any two points on a wave that are one or more

whole wavelengths apart are said to be “in phase”.

Frequency

Is the number of complete wavelengths a point on that wave makes each second.

Amplitude

The greatest distance from equilibrium.

wavelengths get smaller

frequencies get higher.

Radio waves

Have the longest wavelengths and the

lowest frequencies

Infrared waves

Have a shorter wavelength, from .001 m to 700 nm, and therefore, a higher frequency.

Visible light

Wavelengths range from 700 nm (red light) to 30 nm (violet light) with frequencies higher than infrared waves.

Ultraviolet Light:

Wavelengths range from 400 nm to

10 nm

What can Ultraviolet Lights do to a person

the frequency is high enough with UV rays to penetrate living cells and cause them damage.

X-Rays

Wavelengths from 10 nm to .001 nm.

What can X-Rays do to a person

These rays have enough energy to penetrate

deep into tissues and cause damage to cells

What can Gamma Rays do

have enough energy to go through most materials easily

Gamma Rays

Carry the most energy and have the shortest wavelengths, less than one trillionth of a meter (10-12).

A

Wavelength

B

Amplitude

C

Equilibrium

D

Trough

E

Crest