Physics - Waves (copy)

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20 Terms

1

Waves

They transfer energy and information without transferring matter. They are described as vibrations or oscillations about a fix point.

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2

Wave motion

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3

Transverse waves

  • A wave in which the direction of vibrations is perpendicular to the direction of movement of wave

  • Its wavelength can be measured from a peak to the next one.

  • Examples: water waves, waves on a string, electromagnetic waves (radio and light waves).

<ul><li><p> A wave in which the direction of vibrations is perpendicular to the direction of movement of wave</p></li><li><p>Its wavelength can be measured from a peak to the next one.</p></li><li><p>Examples: water waves, waves on a string, electromagnetic waves (radio and light waves).</p></li></ul>
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4

Characteristics of Transverse waves

  • The particles oscillated perpendicularly to the direction of travel.

  • Peak - highest point reached by the particle from its neutral position

  • Trough - lowest point reached by the particle from its neutral position.

  • The distance between adjacent particles remains constant, in the direction of the propagation of the wave.

  • The energy transfer is in the same direction as the wave motion.

  • They transfer energy in the same direction of the propagation of the wave.

  • The energy transfer is in the same direction as the wave motion.

  • They transfer energy, but not the particles of the medium.

  • They can move in solids and on the surfaces of liquids but not inside liquids or gases.

  • Some of them (electromagnetic waves) can move in solids, liquids and gases in vacuum.

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5

Representing Transverse Waves

  • Drawn as a single continuous line, usually with a centerline showing the undisturbed position.

  • The curves are drawn so that they are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

<ul><li><p>Drawn as a single continuous line, usually with a centerline showing the undisturbed position.</p></li><li><p>The curves are drawn so that they are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.</p></li></ul>
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6

Longitudinal waves

  • A wave in which the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of travel of the wave.

  • Its wavelength can be measured from the center area of one compression to the center of the next.

  • For examples: Sound waves and waves on slinky spring (which consists of region of rarefaction and compression).

<ul><li><p>A wave in which the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of travel of the wave.</p></li><li><p>Its wavelength can be measured from the center area of one compression to the center of the next.</p></li><li><p>For examples: Sound waves and waves on slinky spring (which consists of region of rarefaction and compression).</p></li></ul>
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7

Characteristics of Longitudinal waves

  • The particles oscillate along (to-and-fro) the direction of travel.

  • Compression: section in which the particles are closest together

  • Rarefaction: section in which the particles varies from a maximum value (furthest apart) to minimum value (closest together) in the direction of the propagation of the wave.

  • The energy transfer is in the same direction as the wave motion.

  • They transfer energy, but not the particles of the medium.

  • They can move in solids, liquids an gases.

  • They cannot move in a vacuum (since there are no particles).

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8

Representing Longitudinal waves

  • Are usually drawn as several lines to show that the wave is moving parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

  • Drawing the lines closer together represents the compressions.

  • Drawing the lines further apart represents the rarefactions.

<ul><li><p>Are usually drawn as several lines to show that the wave is moving parallel to the direction of energy transfer.</p></li><li><p>Drawing the lines closer together represents the compressions.</p></li><li><p>Drawing the lines further apart represents the rarefactions.</p></li></ul>
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9

Comparing Transverse and Longitudinal waves

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10

Features of a wave

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11

Frequency

  • the number of waves passing a point in 1 second. It is denoted by f and its unit is Hertz; Hz.

  • f = 1/T , T = time period

  • therefore T = 1/f

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12

Speed

  • Wavelength/Time period = λ/T

  • V=fλ, v= wave speed, f= frequency and λ = wavelength.

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13

Crest/Peak

Defined as the highest point on a wave above the equilibrium or rest position.

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14

Trough

Defined as lowest point on a wave below the equilibrium or rest position.

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15

Amplitude

Defined as the distance from the equilibrium to the crest or the trough. It is denoted by the symbol, A, andis measured in meters (m) (it is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position).

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16

Wavelength

Defined as the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on a next wave.

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17

Wave.

speed

  • The speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.

  • Distance travelled a wave each second.

  • V (m/s or ms-1) = f (Hz or s-1) λ (m)

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18

Ray

the arrow shows the direction the wave is moving

<p>the arrow shows the direction the wave is moving</p>
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19

Ray point

represents the wavelength

  • the closer the wavefronts, the shorter the wavelength.

  • the further apart the wavefronts are, the longer the wavelength.

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20

Wavefronts

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