Waves

• Waves


  Transfer energy from one place to another but they don't transfer any matter
• Waves


  • Vibrate or oscillate
  • Can be interpreted as meaningful information
• Displacement


  How far from the equilibrium point the wave has oscillated
• Amplitude


  The maximum displacement
• Wavelength


  The distance of one entire oscillation
• Crest


  The very top of a wave
• Trough


  The opposite of the crest
• Time period


  The time it takes for one complete oscillation
• Calculating frequency


  1/time period
• Calculating wave speed


  Wavelength x frequency
• Transverse waves


  • Oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
  • Examples: electromagnetic waves, water ripples, string waves
• Longitudinal waves


  • Oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
  • Examples: sound waves, seismic p-waves