waves transfer energy through a medium without transferring the medium itself
Cycle - a basic repeating unit in a wave
Amplitude A (m) - the distance from the middle point to the top of a crest, or bottom of a trough
Wavelength 𝜆 (m) - the distance/length of one cycle
Period T (s = s per cycle) - the time it takes for one cycle to pass a point
Frequency f (Hz = cycles per second) - the number of cycles that pass in one second
T = 1/f & f = 1/T
Wave Speed v(ms-1) the speed of a wave
v = 𝜆/T&v = f𝜆
Wave Properties
Frequency & Period
Wave Phase
Pendulum Waves
Longitudinal Waves
particle displacement in the medium is parallel to the direction of wave propagation e.g. sound waves, primary earthquake waves
Transverse Waves
particle displacement in the medium is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation e.g. light and other electromagnetic waves, secondary earthquake waves
Superposition of Waves: two waves traveling through each other will not change each other motion in any way, but they will add to one another when they overlap
Constructive Interference - Reinforcement - In Phase
Destructive Interference - Cancellation - Out of Phase
