P2 waves

• What is the main difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

  Transverse waves have oscillations perpendicular to energy transfer, while longitudinal waves have oscillations parallel to energy transfer
• Give an example of a transverse wave.

  Ripples on the surface of water
• Give an example of a longitudinal wave.

  Sound waves traveling in air
• What type of energy do ripples transfer?

  Kinetic energy
• What type of energy do sound waves transfer?

  Sound energy
• What do scientists call the movements in transverse waves?

  Oscillations
• In transverse waves, how are the oscillations oriented in relation to the direction of energy transfer?

  The oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
• What are the regions called where air particles are close together in longitudinal waves?

  Compressions
• What are the regions called where air particles are spaced out in longitudinal waves?

  Rarifications
• What is a key feature of longitudinal waves regarding oscillations?

  The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
• What is a key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves regarding the need for a medium?

  All longitudinal waves require a medium, while not all transverse waves do
• What is the important fact about the movement of waves in relation to the medium?


  It is the wave that travels, not the medium
• How do transverse waves behave in a slinky demonstration?

  The red dot oscillates up and down but does not travel along the medium
• How do longitudinal waves behave in a slinky demonstration?

  The red dot oscillates from side to side but does not travel through the medium
• What are the characteristics of transverse waves?

  • Oscillations are perpendicular to energy transfer
  • Example: Ripples on water
  • Do not always require a medium
• What are the characteristics of longitudinal waves?

  • Oscillations are parallel to energy transfer
  • Example: Sound waves in air
  • Require a medium to travel
• What is the significance of the wave movement in relation to the medium?

  • Waves travel through the medium
  • The medium itself does not travel
  • Demonstrated using a slinky
• What is the definition of amplitude in a wave?

  The maximum displacement of a point on a wave away from its undisturbed position
• How can you identify the amplitude on a transverse wave?

  It is the furthest point the wave vibrates from its undisturbed position
• What is the definition of wavelength?

  The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave
• How can you measure the wavelength of a wave?

  By measuring the distance between equivalent points on adjacent waves
• What is the symbol for wavelength?

  The Greek letter lambda (λ)
• How do you measure wavelength in longitudinal waves?

  From one compression to the next compression or from one rarefaction to the next rarefaction
• What is the definition of frequency?

  The number of waves passing a point each second
• What is the unit of frequency?

  Hertz (Hz)
• How do you calculate the frequency from a wave diagram?

  By counting the total number of waves passing a point in one second
• If a transverse wave shows five waves in one second, what is its frequency?

  5 Hertz
• If a wave has three waves in one second, what is its frequency?

  3 Hertz
• What is the definition of the period of a wave?

  The time in seconds for one wave to pass a point
• How is the period calculated?

  Period in seconds equals one divided by the frequency in Hertz
• If a wave has a frequency of 100 Hertz, what is its period?

  $0.01 \text{ seconds}$
• What are the key features of waves that should be labeled?

  • Amplitude
  • Wavelength
  • Frequency
  • Period
• What is the relationship between frequency and period?

  • Frequency (f) is the number of waves per second.
  • Period (T) is the time for one wave to pass a point.
  • Relationship: $T =$$\frac{1}{f}$
• How is amplitude defined?

  The farthest point the wave vibrates from the undisturbed position
• What is the definition of wavelength?

  The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave
• What does frequency measure?

  The number of waves passing a point each second
• What is the unit of frequency?

  Hertz
• What is wave speed?

  The speed at which the wave moves through the medium
• How can wave speed be calculated?

  Using the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength
• What is the wave speed if the frequency is 165 Hertz and the wavelength is 2 meters?

  330 meters per second