Module 2 : TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL WAVES

Transverse

Cause the medium moves
perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Longitudinal waves

Particles move parallel to the wave
direction, whereas in the transverse wave, particles move
perpendicular to the wave

Velocity

The distance a wave travels per second (m/s)

Frequency

The number of crests (peaks) or troughs that pass a point per second; the number of complete waves generated per second (Hz)

Wavelength

The distance between two successive crests or two successive troughs in a wave
(m)

Amplitude

The magnitude of the maximum displacement from the rest position (or equilibrium) of the wave. This is based on the height of the crest or depth of the trough from the rest position.

Wavefront

Defined as an imaginary line that connects all the crests (or points in phase) on a wave. It can be represented by straight lines, concentric centres, and other shapes.