Aparato circulatorio 3ºESO

PHYSICS PARTIAL 2

WAVES

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.

When describing wave motion, there are several terms which are important to know, including:

o Wavelength
o Frequency
o Period
o Crest (peak)
o Trough
o Amplitude
o Wave speed




WAVELENGTH

Wavelength is defined as:

The distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave

The wavelength is given the symbol (lambda) and is measured in metres (m)
The distance along a wave is typically put on the x-axis of a wave diagram


FREQUENCY

Frequency is defined as:

The number of oscillations in a second

Frequency is given by the symbol f and is measured in Hertz (Hz)
50 Hz = 50 oscillations in 1 s

, PERIOD
Time taken for 1 complete oscillation




CRESTS & TROUGHS

A crest, or a peak, is defined as:

The highest point on a wave above the equilibrium, or rest position

A trough is defined as

The lowest point on a wave below the equilibrium, or rest, positio


AMPLITUDE

Amplitude is defined as:

The distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave

It is given the symbol A and is measured in metres (m)
Amplitude is the maximum or minimum displacement from the undisturbed position


WAVE SPEED

Wave speed is the speed at which energy is transferred through a medium
Wave speed is defined as:

The distance travelled by a wave each second

The equation used to calculate wave speed is explained in the wave equation


THE WAVE EQUATION

The equation used to calculate wave speed is:




Where:
v = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)
f = wave frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)

Wave speed is defined as:

The distance travelled by a wave each second