waves

Transverse

vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

longitudinal

vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

oscillation

the repeated vibration of particles of points in a medium about a fixed position, with the energy transferred from one point to another

amplitude

the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its equilibrium

wavelength

the distance between two corresponding points on consecutive waves

frequency

the number of complete oscoillations passing a point per second (hertz)

crest

the highest point of a transverse wave

trough

lowest point of a transverse wave

wave speed

distance travelled by the wave per unit time (m/s)

wave speed equation

Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (hertz) x wavelength (m)

example of transverse waves

water waves, Seismic Waves

example of longitudinal

p- waves, sound waves

reflection

when a wave bounces back from a surface

refraction

change in direction of a wave due to the change in speed when it enters a different medium

diffraction

the spreading out of waves as they pass through a narrow gap or obsticle

diffraction is greatest when

the wavelength is a similar size

The normal

The normal is a line drawn at 90° to the surface at the point where the ray meets the surface.

angle of incidence

the angle between the incident ray and the normal.