waves

• What is a wave?

  A vibration oscillation that transfers energy
• How are waves categorized?

  Transverse or longitudinal and mechanical/electromagnetic
• What are mechanical waves?

  Waves that require a medium to transmit energy
• What are electromagnetic waves?


  Waves that can transmit energy through a vacuum
• How are electromagnetic waves produced?


  By the vibration of charged particles
• Why are electromagnetic waves essential for life on Earth?


  They travel from the sun through space
• What is the wavelength symbol in wave equations?

  λ (lambda)
• What is amplitude in wave terminology?


  The maximum displacement from the rest position
• How do transverse waves oscillate?


  Perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
• How do longitudinal waves oscillate?


  Parallel to the direction of energy transfer
• What is the wave equation for wavespeed?

  v = f x λ
• What is frequency measured in?


  Hertz (Hz)
• What does the period (T) of a wave represent?


  The time for one complete vibrational cycle
• How is the period (T) calculated?

  T = 1 / f
• What are P-waves?

  Longitudinal waves that travel through solids and liquids
• Why are S-waves not detected in the shadow zone?


  They cannot travel through liquids
• How do P-waves and S-waves differ in terms of travel mediums?

  P-waves can travel through solids and liquids
• What happens to P-waves and S-waves as they travel through the Earth?

  Both refract due to changing material density
• What are the characteristics of transverse waves?

  • Oscillations are perpendicular to energy transfer
  • Have crests and troughs
  • Wavelength (λ) is measured from crest to crest
  • Amplitude (a) is the height of the wave
• What are the characteristics of longitudinal waves?

  • Oscillations are parallel to energy transfer
  • Compressions and rarefactions are present
  • Wavelength (λ) is measured from compression to compression
• What is the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and wavespeed?

  • Wavespeed (v) = frequency (f) x wavelength (λ)
  • Frequency is the number of waves per second
  • Wavelength is the distance between consecutive waves
• What are the properties of seismic waves?

  • P-waves: longitudinal, travel through solids and liquids
  • S-waves: transverse, only travel through solids
  • Both refract due to density changes in Earth