Waves behaviour and basics (Physics)

What do waves transfer?

Energy — not matter

Describe transverse waves + examples

Oscillations perpendicular (90°) to energy transfer

Examples: light, EM waves, water ripples

Describe longitudinal waves + examples

Oscillations parallel to energy transfer

Has compressions and rarefactions

Example: sound waves

Amplitude, Wavelength, Frequency, Period

Amplitude = max displacement from rest position

Wavelength = distance between same points on adjacent waves

Frequency = number of waves per second (Hz)

Period = time for 1 wave to pass → T = 1/f

Law of reflection

Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

What is refraction? What happens when wave enters denser medium?

Wave changes direction when changing speed

Slows down → bends towards normal

Speeds up → bends away from normal

Frequency stays same, wavelength changes

Speed of sound in air? Can sound travel in a vacuum?

340 m/s

No — needs a medium (particles)