Longitudinal & Transverse Waves

What is a wave?

A wave transfers energy from one place to another, without transferring matter

What part of the wave is indicated on the diagram?

Crest

What part of the wave is indicated on the diagram?

Trough

What is the frequency of a wave?

The number of times a wave oscillates in one second

What feature of the wave is indicated by the dashed orange lines?

The amplitude

What is the wavelength of a wave?

The wavelength of a wave is the length of one oscillation

What is the amplitude of a wave?

It is the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position

What is the unit for frequency?

Hertz (Hz)

What feature of the wave is indicated by the dashed green line?

The wavelength

What is the unit for wavelength?

Metres (m)

What is the time period of a wave?

It is the time it takes for one entire oscillation of a wave

What is the formula for time period?

time period = 1/frequency

What feature of the wave is indicated by the dashed red line?

The time period

What is the formula that links wave speed, frequency and wavelength?

wave speed = frequency x wavelength

What is a transverse wave?

A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

Give 3 examples of transverse waves

1. Electromagnetic waves

2. Water waves

3. Waves on a string

What is a longitudinal wave?

A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer

Give an example of longitudinal waves

Sound waves