Waves

• Categories of waves


  • Transverse
  • Longitudinal
• Transverse waves


  • The medium's vibration is perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving
  • Oscillation moves up and down while the wave moves forward
• Longitudinal waves


  • The medium's vibration is parallel to the direction the wave is moving
  • Oscillation and direction of the wave are the same
• Sound


  A longitudinal wave
• Light


  A transverse wave
• Differences between transverse and longitudinal waves


  • Source of the waves
  • Speed
  • Medium
• Source of sound waves


  Vocal chords
• Source of light waves


  The sun
• Light waves


  Are significantly faster than sound waves
• Light waves


  Don't need a medium and can travel in a vacuum
• Sound waves


  Need a medium to travel
• Compression


  When the crests and troughs are very close together
• Rarefraction


  When the crest and troughs have more distance between them
• Wave speed (v)


  The distance covered by the wave in the time given (measured in meters)
• Time period (t)


  The total time for one complete oscillation (measured in seconds)
• Frequency (f or n)


  The number of vibrations in one second (measured in Hertz)
• Amplitude (a)


  The distance between the resting position of the wave and the maximum displacement of the wave (measured in meters)
• Wavelength


  The distance between two crests or two troughs (measured in meters)