Waves ~~~~~

 

What you must understand!

  • There two types of waves: longitudinal and transverse waves.
  • Both waves only transfer energy from one point to another without physically transferring the medium the wave travels in.
  • The source of a wave is a vibration or an oscillation.
  • Points that are considered to be in phase must meet 3 criteria:
    • They must have the same direction of motion
    • They must have the same speed
    • They must have the same displacement from their rest position
  • Wavefront is an imaginary line on a wave that joins all adjacent points that are in phase.

Deduction of wavelength and period from displacement-distance and displacement-time graphs

We can deduce amplitudes of the waves from both graphs. However, the graph on the left will allow us to deduce the period of the wave (displacement-time) whereas the one on the right will only provide us with the wave length (displacement-distance).

 

 


Visualisation of Particles Movement in Longitudinal Waves In a Medium (air)

  • Particles only oscillate back and forth about their individual equilibrium positions.

 


Visualisation of Particles Movement in a Rope Generating Transverse Wave

  • Particles only oscillate up and down about their individual equilibrium positions.
Image result for wave particles movement in rope transverse
http://resource.isvr.soton.ac.uk/spcg/tutorial/tutorial/Tutorial_files/Web-basics-nature.htm

Visualisation of Particles Movement in Water Wave

  • In real life, water wave like the one below is a combination of both transverse and longitudinal motions.