Section 1 - Wave properties and diffraction
What are waves? A wave is a disturbance of a medium through which energy is
transferred, the particles of the medium do not have a net motion
as they oscillate around the equilibrium position.
Characteristics of waves - A wave travels through a medium. ( e.g. circular waves
travel through water)
- When a wave passes through a medium, each particle of
the medium oscillates about a mean position, often
describing a simple harmonic motion. There is therefore no
net motion of the medium.
- A wave can be defined as the propagation of a disturbance.
- The wave motion is the disturbance that passes through the
medium.
- A wave pulse causes the medium to have one oscillation.
- A continuous travelling wave causes the medium to keep
oscillating.
- Waves transfer energy from one place to another. Work is
done on the medium when the wave is generated.
What is a longitudinal Longitudinal - A wave where particles of the medium oscillate
wave vs a transverse parallel to the direction of the wave or the energy transferred.
wave?
Example: Sound waves, Seismic P waves.
Transverse - A wave where particles of the medium oscillate
perpendicular to the direction of the wave or the energy
transferred.
Example: Light waves, electromagnetic waves, waves on a string.
Parts of a wave Longitudinal wave -
Compressions - A compression in a longitudinal wave , is a region
where particles of the medium are momentarily pushed together
Rarefractions - A rarefaction is the region in a longitudinal wave
where particles are spread apart.
Transverse wave -
Crest - The crest of a wave is its highest point, where the medium
is displaced furthest upwards from its resting position.
Trough - A trough in a wave is the lowest point or valley,
representing the maximum downward displacement.
Measurements of a Amplitude - The maximum distance a point moves from its
wave undisturbed position when a wave passes.
Frequency - The number of waves passing any point per second.
Measured in hertz (Hz).
Wavelength - The distance between any point on a wave and the
, equivalent point on the next (such as crest to crest).
Period - The amount of time for a wave cycle to be completed.
Measured in seconds (s).
Speed - Measured in meters per second (m/s). Calculated using
frequency and wavelength or distance and time.
Energy - The energy of a wave tells us about its intensity and
potential to do work, primarily determined by its amplitude and
frequency. Often proportional to amplitude squared.
Intensity - The intensity of a wave is a measure of the power it
transfers per unit area.
Speed of a wave Speed of a wave can be calculated using the formula:
equation
Speed = Wavelength • Frequency OR Speed = Wavelength • Frequency
Can be rearranged as:
Wavelength = Speed/Frequency AND Frequency = Speed/Wavelength
Frequency of a wave Frequency can be calculated using the formula:
equation
1/Period = Frequency OR Oscillations/Time = Frequency
What is a wave front Two- or three-dimensional waves move away from a source along
and ray? a wavefront, which is made up of all the points forming the wave
crest. Common wavefront shapes are straight and circular. The
movement of the wave is at right angles to the wavefront. This
direction of movement is called a ray.
What is diffraction? Diffraction occurs when waves spread
What are the conditions out after passing through a gap or
for greater diffraction round an obstacle. Diffraction
becomes more significant when the
size of the gap or obstacle is reduced
compared with the wavelength of the
wave.
Section 2 - Sound waves
Relationship between Amplitude - Amplitude is related to sound or volume. The higher
parts of waves and the amplitude the higher the volume of the sound.
sound characteristics Frequency - Frequency is related to Pitch. The higher the
frequency the higher the pitch.
How does the medium The state of matter of a medium can affect sound:
effect sound?
Sound travels fastest in solids because their tightly packed
particles and strong bonds allow for rapid, efficient energy transfer
What are waves? A wave is a disturbance of a medium through which energy is
transferred, the particles of the medium do not have a net motion
as they oscillate around the equilibrium position.
Characteristics of waves - A wave travels through a medium. ( e.g. circular waves
travel through water)
- When a wave passes through a medium, each particle of
the medium oscillates about a mean position, often
describing a simple harmonic motion. There is therefore no
net motion of the medium.
- A wave can be defined as the propagation of a disturbance.
- The wave motion is the disturbance that passes through the
medium.
- A wave pulse causes the medium to have one oscillation.
- A continuous travelling wave causes the medium to keep
oscillating.
- Waves transfer energy from one place to another. Work is
done on the medium when the wave is generated.
What is a longitudinal Longitudinal - A wave where particles of the medium oscillate
wave vs a transverse parallel to the direction of the wave or the energy transferred.
wave?
Example: Sound waves, Seismic P waves.
Transverse - A wave where particles of the medium oscillate
perpendicular to the direction of the wave or the energy
transferred.
Example: Light waves, electromagnetic waves, waves on a string.
Parts of a wave Longitudinal wave -
Compressions - A compression in a longitudinal wave , is a region
where particles of the medium are momentarily pushed together
Rarefractions - A rarefaction is the region in a longitudinal wave
where particles are spread apart.
Transverse wave -
Crest - The crest of a wave is its highest point, where the medium
is displaced furthest upwards from its resting position.
Trough - A trough in a wave is the lowest point or valley,
representing the maximum downward displacement.
Measurements of a Amplitude - The maximum distance a point moves from its
wave undisturbed position when a wave passes.
Frequency - The number of waves passing any point per second.
Measured in hertz (Hz).
Wavelength - The distance between any point on a wave and the
, equivalent point on the next (such as crest to crest).
Period - The amount of time for a wave cycle to be completed.
Measured in seconds (s).
Speed - Measured in meters per second (m/s). Calculated using
frequency and wavelength or distance and time.
Energy - The energy of a wave tells us about its intensity and
potential to do work, primarily determined by its amplitude and
frequency. Often proportional to amplitude squared.
Intensity - The intensity of a wave is a measure of the power it
transfers per unit area.
Speed of a wave Speed of a wave can be calculated using the formula:
equation
Speed = Wavelength • Frequency OR Speed = Wavelength • Frequency
Can be rearranged as:
Wavelength = Speed/Frequency AND Frequency = Speed/Wavelength
Frequency of a wave Frequency can be calculated using the formula:
equation
1/Period = Frequency OR Oscillations/Time = Frequency
What is a wave front Two- or three-dimensional waves move away from a source along
and ray? a wavefront, which is made up of all the points forming the wave
crest. Common wavefront shapes are straight and circular. The
movement of the wave is at right angles to the wavefront. This
direction of movement is called a ray.
What is diffraction? Diffraction occurs when waves spread
What are the conditions out after passing through a gap or
for greater diffraction round an obstacle. Diffraction
becomes more significant when the
size of the gap or obstacle is reduced
compared with the wavelength of the
wave.
Section 2 - Sound waves
Relationship between Amplitude - Amplitude is related to sound or volume. The higher
parts of waves and the amplitude the higher the volume of the sound.
sound characteristics Frequency - Frequency is related to Pitch. The higher the
frequency the higher the pitch.
How does the medium The state of matter of a medium can affect sound:
effect sound?
Sound travels fastest in solids because their tightly packed
particles and strong bonds allow for rapid, efficient energy transfer
