Waves

Physics Unit 9

wave

disturbance that propagates from one place to another; transmitting energy without transmitting mass

mechanical waves

require a medium to pass through, such as air, water, or solid materials; disturbance in particles

Electromagnetic waves

are waves that can travel through a vacuum (space); disturbing electric field (by jiggling charges); visible light, radio and microwaves, x and gamma rays

Gravitational waves

formed when disturbing very large masses (warping spacetime itself)

Longitudinal waves

used to visualize waves; oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation

transverse waves

used to visualize waves; oscillates perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation

P Waves

longitudinal

What does P waves stand for?

Pressure waves

S waves

Transverse waves

What does S wave stand for?

Shear waves

amplitude

how far a particle in the wave moves from its equilibrium position

wavelength

distance between each wave

compression

regions of high density

rarefractions

regions of low density

beat frequency

absolute value of the difference between two frequencies.

resonance

interference produces a wave with large amplitude; standing wave

node

not moving

antinode

moving