, TOPIC 1: WAVES
Transverse Waves
A wave in which the displacement of particles is perpendicular to the direction of the
movement of the wave
Pulse: Single disturbance that is propagated by a medium
Transverse pulse: A pulse in which the displacement of the particles is
perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the wave
Transverse wave definitions:
● Amplitude- maximum displacement of a particle from its position of rest
● Crest- Highest point of a wave, at its maximum displacement from rest
● Trough- Lowest point of a wave, at its maximum displacement from its position of rest
● Wavelength (λ)- Distance between 2 consecutive point in phase
Speed of a pulse
● The speed of a pulse can be calculated by dividing the distance
covered by the change in time (time taken)
Frequency (f): No of wave pulses per second. Measured in hertz (Hz)
Period (T): Time taken for 1 complete wave pulse to pass a point. If the
period is 2s, it means it took 2 seconds for a wave to move past a fixed point.
Measured in seconds (s)
Wave speed
● Speed of a wave is the distance travelled by a point on the
wave per unit time
Transverse Waves
A wave in which the displacement of particles is perpendicular to the direction of the
movement of the wave
Pulse: Single disturbance that is propagated by a medium
Transverse pulse: A pulse in which the displacement of the particles is
perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the wave
Transverse wave definitions:
● Amplitude- maximum displacement of a particle from its position of rest
● Crest- Highest point of a wave, at its maximum displacement from rest
● Trough- Lowest point of a wave, at its maximum displacement from its position of rest
● Wavelength (λ)- Distance between 2 consecutive point in phase
Speed of a pulse
● The speed of a pulse can be calculated by dividing the distance
covered by the change in time (time taken)
Frequency (f): No of wave pulses per second. Measured in hertz (Hz)
Period (T): Time taken for 1 complete wave pulse to pass a point. If the
period is 2s, it means it took 2 seconds for a wave to move past a fixed point.
Measured in seconds (s)
Wave speed
● Speed of a wave is the distance travelled by a point on the
wave per unit time
