Wave Basics
This page introduces fundamental concepts of waves, focusing on their ability to transfer energy and information without transferring matter. It covers key wave properties and distinguishes between transverse and longitudinal waves.
Definition: Waves transfer energy and information from one place to another without transferring matter.
The page explains that when waves travel through a medium, the particles of the medium vibrate and transfer energy and information between each other, but the particles themselves stay in the same place.
Vocabulary:
- Amplitude: The displacement from the rest position to a crest or trough.
- Wavelength: The length of a full cycle of the wave.
- Period: The number of seconds for a full cycle.
- Frequency: The number of complete cycles of the wave passing a certain point per second, measured in hertz (Hz).
Example: 1 Hz is equivalent to 1 wave per second.
The page then differentiates between two types of waves:
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Transverse waves: These waves have sideways vibrations, perpendicular (at 90°) to the direction the wave travels. All electromagnetic waves and water waves are examples of transverse waves.
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Longitudinal waves: These waves have vibrations parallel to the direction of travel. They create compressions and rarefactions as they move.
Highlight: The difference between transverse and longitudinal waves lies in their vibration patterns relative to the direction of wave travel.
Finally, the page provides the fundamental equation for calculating wave speed:
Definition: Wave speed = Frequency × Wavelength
This formula is crucial for understanding the relationship between a wave's speed, its frequency, and its wavelength, which is essential in various applications of wave physics.
