Waves
What is a Wave ?
What is a Wave ?
There are lots of examples of waves that can be seen in the World around us. Some examples are shown below:-
There are lots of examples of waves that can be seen in the World around us. Some examples are shown below:-
Waves might have many different forms, but they have one main feature:-
Waves might have many different forms, but they have one main feature:-
"Waves are a transfer of Energy"
"Waves are a transfer of Energy"
In a wave, it is only Energy that moves, the medium (the material the wave is passing through) just oscillates back and forth around an equilibrium point. In the animation below, a wave is moving from right to left, it can be seen that the medium simply oscillates up and down:-
In a wave, it is only Energy that moves, the medium (the material the wave is passing through) just oscillates back and forth around an equilibrium point. In the animation below, a wave is moving from right to left, it can be seen that the medium simply oscillates up and down:-
All waves can be described in one of two ways:-
All waves can be described in one of two ways:-
1. Transverse Waves - In a transverse wave, the medium oscillates perpendicularly to the movement of the Energy.
1. Transverse Waves - In a transverse wave, the medium oscillates perpendicularly to the movement of the Energy.
2. Longitudinal Waves - In a longitudinal wave, the medium oscillates parallel to the movement of the Energy.
2. Longitudinal Waves - In a longitudinal wave, the medium oscillates parallel to the movement of the Energy.
The diagram below shows examples of each type:-
The diagram below shows examples of each type:-
Parts of a Wave
Parts of a Wave
The main parts of a wave are shown in the diagram below:-
The main parts of a wave are shown in the diagram below:-
Wave Part Definitions
Wave Part Definitions
Wavelength (λ) - The Wavelength is the distance between any two repeating points of a wave, measured in meters (m).
Wavelength (λ) - The Wavelength is the distance between any two repeating points of a wave, measured in meters (m).
Amplitude - The Amplitude is the distance between the equilibrium point and a peak or trough, measured in meters (m).
Amplitude - The Amplitude is the distance between the equilibrium point and a peak or trough, measured in meters (m).
Frequency (f) - The Frequency of a wave is the number of waves passing a fixed point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Frequency (f) - The Frequency of a wave is the number of waves passing a fixed point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
The video below shows a summary of the above wave basics:
The video below shows a summary of the above wave basics: