Properties of waves

Waves are…

A way of transferring energy & information from 1 point to another without transferring any matter

All waves can be…

Reflected & refracted

What are transverse waves?

Waves where the direction of vibrations / oscillations are at 90° to the direction of wave travel

What are longitudinal waves?

Waves where the direction of vibrations / oscillations are parallel to the direction of wave travel

(e.g. sound waves)

Label this wave diagram

What is amplitude (A)?

The height of a wave from its resting position to its peak

Measured in meters (m)

What is wavelength (λ)?

The distance from 1 wave peak to the next

Measured in meters (m)

What is frequency (f)?

The number of complete waves in a second

Measured in Hertz (Hz)

What is time period (T)?

The time taken for a complete wave to pass a point

Measured in seconds (s)

What is the formula for wave speed?

Wave speed = frequency × wavelength

v = f × λ

What is the formula for frequency?

Frequency = 1 ÷ time period

f = 1 ÷ T