waves in air, fluids, and solids

• What are the two types of waves?


  Transverse and longitudinal
• What is a transverse wave?

  A wave for which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
• What is a longitudinal wave?


  A wave for which the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
• Give two examples of transverse waves.


  Electromagnetic waves and seismic s-waves
• Give two examples of longitudinal waves.


  Sound waves and seismic p-waves
• What are the two parts of a longitudinal wave called?


  Compressions and rarefactions
• What is a wave’s amplitude?

  The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position
• What is wavelength?


  The distance from a point on a wave to the same position on the adjacent wave
• What is the frequency of a wave?


  The number of waves that pass a given point each second
• What is the unit used for frequency?


  Hertz, Hz
• What is meant by a frequency of 200Hz?


  200 waves pass a given point each second
• What is wave speed?


  The speed at which the wave moves or at which energy is transferred through a medium
• What does a wave transfer?

  Energy
• State the equation used to calculate wave speed. Give appropriate units.

  Wave Speed = Frequency x Wavelength; Speed (m/s), Frequency (Hz), Wavelength (m)
• What word is used to describe when a wave bounces off a surface?

  Reflection