Studied by 5 people
Peak
Highest point of a wave
Trough
Lowest point of a wave
Wavelength
Distance between the same points on 2 adjacent waves
Frequency
Number of complete waves passing a certain point per second
Period
Time takes for a full cycle of waves to pass a certain point
Amplitude
Maximum displacement of a wave from its undisturbed position
Transverse Waves
Waves that travel side to side at right angles to the direction of propagation, therefore vibrations are perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
Longitudinal Waves
Waves that travel back and fourth along the direction of propagation, therefore vibrations are parallel to direction of nearby transfer
Examples of transverse waves
ripples and waves in water
All electromagnetic waves
Waves on a string
Most waves
Secondary Seismic waves
Examples of Longitudinal waves
Shock waves: primary seismic waves
Sound waves in air
Ultrasound
Wave speed
Speed at which waves transfer energy
Speed of waves in air
