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
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
