Waves

what are waves?

waves are disturbances that transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter

types of waves

transverse, longitudinal,

transverse waves

particles oscillate at right angles to the direction of the energy transfer.

examples of transverse waves

light, electromagnetic waves, ripples on water

longitudinal waves

particles oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer creating compressions and rarefactions.

examples of longitudinal waves

sound waves and seismic p waves

amplitude

the maximum displacement of a point from it’s equilibrium position , measured in meters higher amplitude means more energy

wavelength

the distance covered by one full cycle of a wave, measured peak to peak or trough to trough in meters

frequency

the number of wave cycles passing a point per second, measured in hertz

time period of a wave

the time taken for a full cycle of the wave to pass a point per second.

wave equation

wave speed = frequency x wavelength