physics waves gcse

transverse waves

**Waves where the points along its length vibrate at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer**

what are the ways a wave can exist in?

transverse and longitudinal

in a transverse wave the energy is in …….. direction

the same

what form can a transverse wave **NOT** move in

gas

electromagnetive waves are…

transverse and can move in vaccume

what is the highest part of the wave called ?

peak or crest

what is the lowest point in a wave called?

trough

longitudinal

**Waves where the points along its length vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer**

can longitudinal waves move in vacume?

no

longitudinal waves can move in…

solid, gas and liquid

amplitude

**the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave**

wavelength

**The distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave.**

wavelengh equation

velocity / frequency

one period of wave

1 / frequency

transverse waves move….

perpendicular

explain the duck

it moves up and down but it does not follow the wave

wavelength in a longitudinal wave

The wavelength can be measured from the centre of one compression to the centre of the next

lambda

symbol of wavelength givin in meters

equation of wave speed

frequency x wavelength

speed of sound equation

distance travelled by sound / time taken

speed of sound using echoes

2 x distance to the wall / time takrn

electromagatic waves

**Transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of the waves to an absorber**

radios are

big wavelengths

gamma rays are

Gamma rays are emitted from atoms which are very small (short wavelength)

shorter wavelength means

higher energy

energy transfered from infered

* All **hot** objects emit infrared radiation
* The emitted waves can then be absorbed by other objects, warming them up

energy transfers from the sun

* **Visible light** waves allow living creatures to **see**
* **Infrared** waves **heat** up the Earth
* **Ultraviolet** waves provide plants with the **energy** for **photosynthesis** which they need to grow

function of waves

transfer energy

wave speed = frequency x wave

formula for wave speed