The different types of waves, Study notes of Physics

Download The different types of waves and more Study notes Physics in PDF only on Docsity! RVL1YR-08_TOPIC_5_WAVES_KO_2019_20.DOCX Waves Transverse Longitudinal Wavelength λ Time period Definition: A wave is a transfer of energy from one place to another because a material (‘medium’) vibrates.* There are two ways that the material can vibrate: Parallel (backwards and forwards) to the direction that the wave is going. In this case the waves are called longitudinal. Perpendicular (up and down) to the direction that the wave is going. In this case the waves are called transverse. The name mechanical waves is used for waves that require there to be a material that does the oscillating or vibrating. Mechanical waves can be transverse or longitudinal. Examples include There are some waves that require no material (‘medium’) in order to transfer energy form one place to another. These are electromagnetic (EM) waves. There are 7 broad types of EM wave: radiowaves; microwaves; Infrared waves; visible light; ultra violet waves; X-rays and gamma (γ) rays. Definition: Transverse waves have vibrations (‘oscillations’) that are perpendicular (up and down) to the direction that the wave is going. Common transverse waves are… water waves; S-waves in earthquakes; light and all other EM waves. Peak… the place of maximum displacement on a transverse wave. Trough… the place of minimum displacement on a transverse wave. Equilibrium line… where the material (‘medium’) would be if there was no wave. Generally, this is a straight line. Displacement… at any point in a wave the medium is displaced from equilibrium. The distance from equilibrium to that point on the wave is the displacement. Definition: Longitudinal waves have vibrations (‘oscillations’) that are parallel (backwards and forwards) to the direction that the wave is going. Common longitudinal waves are… sound waves and P-waves in earthquakes. Compression… where the material (‘medium’) is most compressed. Rarefaction (rare-fak-shun)… where the material (‘medium’) is least compressed. Definition: The wavelength is the distance it takes for the wave pattern to begin repeating itself. It is easily measured on a diagram of a transverse waves by measuring: 1. From peak to peak 2. From trough to trough 3. From compression to compression. 4. From rarefaction to rarefaction. 5. From any two consecutive points that are similar* Amplitude Definition: The maximum displacement of the material in a wave from where it would be in equilibrium. In transverse waves… from equilibrium to either a peak or a trough. In longitudinal waves… from one compression to another or from one peak to another. Definition: The time it takes for a wave to start repeating its pattern is called the time period, T. Units: seconds, s. Frequency Definition: How many waves pass or point in space in 1 second. Alternative Definition: How many waves get made in one second. Units: Hertz, Hz Reflection #1 When waves hit a surface, sometimes they bounce off. This is called reflection. Specular reflection is when the image you get is a clear image. This is because of the reflecting surface being very flat (‘plane’). St Edmund Campion 1