P12 - Wave Properties

• A wave transfers energy: not matter
• Transverse waves:

  • Vibrations are perpendicular to direction of travel

  A) Peak

  B) Trough

  C) Direction

  D) Wavelength

  E) Amplitude

  F) Equilibrium line

  
• Longitudinal Wave:

  • Vibrations are parallel to direction of travel
  • Done in compressions and rarefactions

  A) Wavelength

  
• Frequency (Hz): how many waves pass a certain point per second
• Period - time it takes for one full cycle of a wave
• • Transverse waves travel faster through a gas rather than a solid which explains why light refracts through a glass block
  • Angle of incidence (angle the light comes in at) is always greater than the angle of refraction
  • Longitudinal waves travel fastest in solids
  • If a material is too dense, the light will reflect
  • Angle of incidence = angle of refraction
• Properties of Longitudinal Waves:

  • Often represented through transverse waves
  • Pitch is shown through frequency
  • Amplitude shows volume
• Ultrasound - high frequency sound wave

  • Used by bats to detect pray and objects
  • Used in boats when fishing as they can tell if the sound reflects quicker than normal meaning something is there
  • Distance of an object below a submarine = 1/2 x speed x time
• Earthquakes:

  • P waves - longitudinal
  • Can travel through solids and liquids
  • Can travel through the earth's core
  • Causes a shadow zone when using the earth's core due to refraction of these waves
  • S waves - transverse
  • Can only travel through solids
  • Proves the outer core is a liquid