Physics | Waves + Sound

What is a wave

A wave is a disturbance that propagates through space, transferring energy but not matter

What are the 2 types of waves

Transverse wave - direction of vibration perpendicular to direction of wave travel
Longitudinal wave - direction of vibration parallel to direction of wave travel

Other key wave properties

• Wave frequency remains constant in different medium

• Wave speed is determined by medium

What is a wavefront?

An imaginary line that join all adjacent points that are in phase

How does Sound travel?

Forward and backward vibrations is passed onto the air which creates alternating regions of air particles to be compressed and extended. Compressed region is called compression and extended regions are called rarefactions