Waves

• Waves is a term used to describe the transfer of energy from one place to another without the transfer of matter.
• Waves travels faster through a solid and slowest through a gas.
• A wave pulse is a single disturbance.
• A wave train is a series of disturbance.
• Transverse waves are waves that oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer..
• Transverse Waves vibrates up and down.
• Longitudinal waves have a vibrating particle that oscillates parallel to the direction of the wave.
• Longitudinal waves vibrates forward and backward.
• Mechanical waves are not capable of transmitting energy through a vacuum.
• Mechanical waves need a medium to transport its energy from one location to another.
• Electromagnetic waves can transmit energy even without a medium.
• The term "Electromagnetic Waves" was credited to James Clerk Maxwell which proved that they move at the velocity of light 3.0x10^8 m/s.
• The crest is the highest point of the wave, and the trough is the lowest point.
• The equilibrium is the rest point or steady state of a wave.
• The amplitude is the maximum distance/displacement covered by a particle from its equilibrium. It is proportional to the energy which the wave transports.
• The wavelength is the distance between the crests and troughs of a wave.
• The wavelength is the length of a complete cycle.
• Wavelength is symbolized by the Greek Letter Lambda (λ).
• Compression

  • Area of crowded particles.
• Rarefaction

  • Area of less-crowded particles.
• Frequency is measured by Hertz (Hz) credited to Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, a German Physicist.
• Frequency is the number of waves through a given point during the interval of one second. It is abbreviated as f.
• Higher frequencies are termed as kilohertz (kHz) or megahertz (MHz).
• Reflection is a property of a wave where the wave bounces back upon hitting a surface or barrier.
• Bending of a wave is due to the change of speed this is known as Refraction.
• Diffraction occur when waves bend around small obstacles, or spread out after passing through small openings.
• Interference occurs when two wave meet while traveling along the same medium. This causes the medium to take on shape that results from the net effect of the two waves upon the particles of the medium.