C.2

Travelling wave

•  a wave in which the positions of maximum and minimum amplitude travel through the medium

  • Transfers energy but does not transfer matter 

Transverse wave 

• A travelling wave in which the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer 

• Eg a wave on the surface of water

Longitudinal wave

• A travelling wave in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer 

• Eg a sound wave

Displacement (𝒙)

distance of a particle from the equilibrium position, measured in m

This will vary as time passes and the particle oscillates

Wavelength (λ)

the shortest distance between two points that are in phase (points moving together or are ‘in step’) 

Wavelength is the distance between two successive points in phase on a wave.

Time Period  (T)

the time it takes for one complete oscillation, measured in s 

Frequency (f)

 the number of oscillations in one second, measured in hertz (Hz)

• For a travelling wave this is the number of waves that pass a point per second.

Electromagnetic (EM)

waves consists of two fields (magnetic and electric) oscillating perpendicularly to each other and the direction of energy transfer.