Features of waves

• transverse waves

  wave which the oscillations are perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
• longitudinal wave

  wave for which oscillations are parallel to direction of energy transfer
• 2 examples of transverse waves

  . electromagnetic waves

  . seismic s - waves
• 2 examples of longitudinal waves

  . sound waves

  . seismic p - waves
• 2 parts of a longitudinal called

  compressions

  rare fractions
• 2 parts of transverse waves called

  peaks

  troughs
• what is a waves amplitude

  maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position
• what is wavelength

  . distance from a point on a wave to same position on adjacent wave

  . most commonly peak to peak or trough to trough
• what is frequency of a wave

  number of waves that pas a given point each second
• unit used for frequency

  Hertz, Hz
• what is meant by a frequency of 200Hz

  200 waves pass a given point each second
• wave speed

  speed at which energy is transferred through a medium
• wave transfer

  energy

  waves do not transfer matter
• equation for wave speed

  wave speed = frequency × wavelength
• word to describe when a wave bounces off a surface

  reflection
• type of spectrum do electromagnetic waves form

  continuous spectrum
• lowest to highest electromagnetic radiation

  radio waves

  microwaves

  infrared

  visible light

  ultraviolent

  x rays

  gamma rays
• which types of electromagnetic radiation have the longest and shortest wavelength

  lonest - radio waves

  shortest - gamma rays
• which types of electromagnetic radiation have the lowest and highest energy

  lowest - radio waves

  highest - gamma rays
• how do speeds of EM radiation differ in a vacuum and in air

  electromagnetic waves all travel at the same speed in a vacuum and in air
• property of waves in different mediums causes refraction

  velocity

  wave speed is slower in denser materials
• in which direction relative to the normal do waves refract when entering a denser medium


  . they bend towards the normal

  . the angle of refraction is less than the angle of incidence
• what is a geostationary satellite and what are they used for

  . same period as the earth so remains in a fixed position relative to earth

  . used for communications such as satellite TV signals