Waves Definitions Physics

Wave

Disturbance which travels from one place to another through oscillations (vibrations). Transfers energy without transferring matter.

Amplitude (A)

Maximum displacement from equilibrium produced by a wave

Wavelength (λ)

Distance between a point on a wave and the same point on the next.

Time Period (T)

Time taken for one complete wave to pass a point. (1 / frequency)

Frequency

Number of waves passing a point per second. (1 / Time period)

Medium

Substance or material through which a wave travels (Solids, liquids, gases)

Transverse waves

Waves where the wave vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave’s energy transfer.

Longitudinal waves

Waves where the wave vibrations are parallel to the direction of the wave’s energy transfer.

Longitudinal waves contain ____ where the particles move together, and ____ where the particles move apart.

compressions, rarefactions

What does polarisation do?

Fix the direction of their oscillations to horizontal or vertical

Give 5 examples of waves

Water, sound, light, seismic, radio

Equation for Wave Speed

Wave speed = Frequency x Wavelength (V = F * lambda)

What does pitch correlate to?

Frequency. Higher pitch = higher frequency of the vibration of the source.

What does sound correlate to?

Amplitude. Louder sounds = Larger amplitude of the vibration of the source.

Wavefronts

Any 2 places where the same phase occurs.