Waves, physics GCSE

flashcards for Edexcel GCSE = physics topic 4 (waves)

wavelength

distance between the same points on two consecutive waves

time period

time taken for one complete waves to pass a given point

amplitude

distance from equilibrium line to the maximum distance (crest or trough)

frequency

number of waves passing a given point per second

wavefront

the plane in which waves travel (direction of travel.)

wave speed

speed at which energy is transferred through medium.

longitudinal waves

oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer. They consist of compressions and rarefations.

examples of longitudinal waves

sound waves, seismic P waves

transverse waves

oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

examples of transverse waves

light waves, seismic S waves, water waves, any EM waves