Waves in air fluids and solids

What are the two types of waves?

Transverse and Longitudinal

What is a transverse wave?

A wave for which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

What is a longitudinal wave?

A wave for which the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Give two examples of transverse waves

• Electromagnetic waves

• Seismic s-waves

Give two examples of longitudinal waves.

• Sound waves

• Seismic p-waves

What are the two parts of a longitudinal wave called?

Compressions and rarefactions.

What is a wave’s amplitude?

The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position.

What is wavelength?

• The distance from a point on a wave to the same position on the adjacent wave

• Most commonly peak to peak or trough to trough

What is the frequency of a wave?

The number of waves that pass a given point each second.

What is the unit used for frequency?

Hertz, Hz

What is meant by a frequency of 200Hz?

200 waves pass a given point each second

What is wave speed?

The speed at which the wave moves or at which energy is transferred through a medium.

What does a wave transfer?

Energy

State the equation used to calculate wave speed. Give appropriate units.

Wave Speed = Frequency (Hz) × Wavelength (m)

What word is used to describe when a wave bounces off a surface?

Reflection