Transverse and Longitudinal waves

• Transverse Waves

  • Vibrations are at 90° to the direction of energy transfer (perpendicular)
  • e.g. light waves and ripples on water surface
• Longitudinal Waves

  • Vibrations are in the same direction as energy transfer (parallel)
  • e.g. sound waves and shockwaves
• Wave Equation

  v= f*λ v = wave speed (m/s)

  f = frequency (Hz)

  λ = wavelength (m)
• What is frequency often measured in?

  • Kilohertz (kHz, 1000Hz) or Megahertz (MHz, 1,000,000 Hz)
  • 1000Hz in kHz
  • 1,000,000 Hz in MHz
• Frequency

  • A measure of how often something happens
  • Measured in Hertz (Hz)
• Frequency of a wave can be calculated from its time period:

  f = 1/t f = frequency

  t = time period ($)
• Compression

  High pressure points - squeezed together

  
• Rarefactions

  Low pressure points - spaced out