wave properties genreal

• What is a wave?

  A wave is a disturbance that propagates through space, transferring energy with it.
• What is the source of a wave?

  A vibration.
• What are the two main types of wave motion?

  • Transverse waves
  • Longitudinal waves
• How do transverse waves travel in relation to the direction of vibration?

  Transverse waves travel in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the vibration.
• How do particles in a transverse wave behave?

  Particles vibrate up and down about their rest position.
• What is the energy transfer mechanism in transverse waves?

  Energy is transferred without transfer of medium/matter.
• How do longitudinal waves travel in relation to the direction of vibration?

  Longitudinal waves travel in a direction parallel to the direction of vibration.
• How do particles in a longitudinal wave behave?

  Particles vibrate left and right about their rest position.
• What is the statement regarding waves transferring energy and medium?

  Waves transfer energy but not medium.
• What are examples of transverse and longitudinal waves?

  • Transverse waves: Water waves, electromagnetic waves
  • Longitudinal waves: Sound waves
• What are the key characteristics used to describe waves?

  • Crests and Troughs
  • Amplitude (A)
  • Wavelength (λ)
  • Frequency (f)
  • Period (T)
  • Wave speed (v)
  • Wavefront
• What is a crest in a wave?

  A crest is the highest point of a wave.
• What is a trough in a wave?

  A trough is the lowest point of a wave.
• What is amplitude in the context of waves?

  Amplitude is the maximum magnitude of displacement measured from the rest/centre position.
• What is the S.I. unit of amplitude?

  Measured in metres (m).
• What is wavelength (λ)?

  Wavelength is the shortest distance between two successive crests or troughs.
• What is the S.I. unit of wavelength?

  Measured in metres (m).
• What is frequency (f) in the context of waves?

  Frequency is the number of wavelengths generated per second.
• What is the S.I. unit of frequency?

  Hertz (Hz).
• What does 1 Hz represent?

  1 Hz is 1 complete wavelength in 1 second.
• What is the period (T) of a wave?

  The period is the time taken for the wave to travel through one wavelength.
• What is the S.I. unit of period?

  Second (s).
• What does T = 5s mean?

  T = 5s means the time taken to travel 1 wavelength is 5s.
• What is the relationship between period (T) and frequency (f)?

  • T = 1/f
  • f = 1/T
• What is wave speed (v)?

  Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave in one second.
• What is the S.I. unit of wave speed?

  Measured in m/s.
• What are the types of graphs used to represent waves?

  • Displacement vs. distance graph
  • Displacement vs. time graph
• What does a wavefront represent?

  A wavefront is an imaginary line joining all points on a wave that are in the same phase.
• What is a ripple tank?

  A ripple tank is a setup used to visualize wave patterns.