Module 2: Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

Transverse Waves

cause the medium to move perpendicular to the direction of the wave

Longitudinal Waves

cause the medium to move parallel to the direction of the wave

Transverse Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

ripples on the surface of water

Transverse Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

vibrations in a guitar song

Transverse Waves

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

a Mexican wave in a sports stadiumTr

Transverse Waves

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

electromagnetic waves - eg light waves, microwaves, radio waves

Transverse Waves

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

seismic S-Waves

Longitudinal Waves

particles move parallel to the wave direction

Transverse Waves

particles move perpendicular to the wave

Longitudinal Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

sound waves in air

Longitudinal Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

the primary waves of an earthquake

Longitudinal Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

ultrasound

Longitudinal Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

vibration of a spring

Longitudinal Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

fluctuations in a gas

Longitudinal Wave

Transverse or Longitudinal Wave

tsunami waves

Transverse Wave

Longitudinal Wave

Longitudinal Wave

oscillates in the direction of propagation

Sound waves

waves of pressure

air or the medium

The compression of the spring here represents the compression of —- or the —— in which the sound travels

Transverse Wave

oscillates in a direction perpendicular to its direction of propagation

Longitudinal Wave

The displacement of the particles is parallel to the direction of the wave

Longitudinal Wave

It acts in one dimension

Longitudinal Wave

The wave cannot be polarised or aligned

Longitudinal Wave

wave can be produced regardless of the medium (gas, liquid, and sound)

Longitudinal Wave

consists of rarefactions and compressions

Transverse Wave

the displacement of the particles is perpendicular to the direction of the wave

Transverse Wave

it acts in two dimensions

Transverse Wave

the wave can be polarised or aligned

Transverse Wave

the wave can only be produced in solid and on the surface of a liquid

Transverse Wave

it is made of throughs and crests

velocity = frequency x wavelength

formula for velocity

Velocity (m)

the distance a wave travels per second

m/s

SI unit of velocity

Frequency (f)

the number of crests (peaks) or troughs that pass a point per second; the number of complete waves generated per second

Hz (hertz)

SI unit for frequency

Wavelength

the distance between two successive crests or two successive troughs in a wave

m (metre)

SI unit of wavelength

Amplitude

the magnitude of the maximum displacement from the rest position (or equilibrium) of the wave. this is based on the height of the crest or depth of trough from the restt position

m (metre)

SI unit of Amplitude

Wavefront

defined as an imaginary line that connects all crests (or points in phase) on a wave. It can be represented by straight lines, concentric centres, and other shapes

Inverse Square Law

Sound Propagation