General Wave Properties

• Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
• Frequency: the number of waves passing any point per second measured in hertz (Hz) $Frequency\ =$$\ \frac{1}{Period}$
• Period: time taken for one oscillation in seconds
• Wavefront: the peak of a transverse wave or the compression of a longitudinal wave
• Speed: how fast the wave travels measured in m/s
• Wavelength: distance between a point on one wave to the corresponding point on the next wave in length
• Amplitude: maximum displacement of a wave from its undisturbed point.
• Transverse Waves

  • Travelling waves in which oscillation is perpendicular to direction of travel
  • Has crests and troughs
  • For example, light, water waves and vibrating strin

  
• Longitudinal Waves

  • Travelling waves in which oscillation is parallel to direction of travel.
  • Has compressions and rarefactions
  • For example, sound waves