Mechanical Waves

• A transverse wave is a wave with oscillations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
• A longitudinal wave is a wave with oscillations parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.
• Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
• A compression is an area in longitudinal waves where the particles are squashed close together.
• A rarefaction is an area in longitudinal waves where the particles are pulled further apart.
• The amplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position.
• Amplitude is measured in metres.
• The wavelength is the distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave.
• Wavelength is measured in metres.
• The frequency of a wave is the number of waves passing a fixed point per second.
• Frequency is measured in hertz.
• Wave speed is the speed at which the energy is transferred (or the wave moves) through a medium.
• Wave speed is measured in metres per second.