Physics – Waves

- Jonathan Lamonte ;)

I. Types of Waves

1. transfer of energy by particle vibrations through a medium

2. Waves only transfer energy

Longitudinal wave: transfer of energy occurs by particle oscillations occurring parallel to

the direction of energy transfer.

Example: sound, tuning

fork

energy (propagation) –
sound

Transverse Wave:

1. energy transfer by oscillation particles perpendicular to the direction of energy

transfer.
2. examples: light, electromagnetic in nature.
II. Characteristics of Waves:

Longitudinal: 1 cycle = 1 compression, 1 expansion

Transverse: 1 cycle = 1 crest, 1 trough

Pulse: half of a cycle

Amplitude: maximum displacement of the oscillating particle from its equilibrium or rest
position.

*Amplitude is an observable characteristic.

Example, loudness and for light visibility.

Wavelength (λ) – Lambda: distance in meters

between any two consecutive points in phase on a wave. “Length of 1 cycle” In phase
means the two points have the same angle measure, displacement and oscillating wave.
Frequency:

1. The number of cycles, or complete vibrations, experienced at each point per unit
time is called the frequency.
2. A frequency of 1 cycle per second is called 1 hertz.
3. cycles/seconds – cycles per seconds (hz) -> hertz
4. Frequency is an observable characteristic.
5. In sound, frequency is the pitch.

The frequency f is equal to the phase velocity v of the wave divided by the wavelength λ of the
wave:

or… V = F times Lambda

Period: the time required for one complete vibration to pass a given point in the medium
is called the period of the wave. The period of a periodic wave is inversely proportional to
frequency and is given by this formula. “T=1/F”

Wave Fronts: A wave front is the locus of all adjacent points on a wave that are in phase.
For example, in the waves in the sink, all of the points on one of the crests constitute a wave
front.

Doppler Effect: When a source and an observer of waves are moving relative to each
other, the observed frequency is different from the frequency of the vibrating source. This
change in observed or apparent frequency due to relative motion of source and observer is
called the Doppler effect. An example of this is a police siren, train, etc.
Interference: waves passing through the same point in space simultaneously.

Destructive interference: produces a node point (silence or darkness)

Constructive inference: when two pulses meet in phase. It can be a crest, crest, or a
trough, trough. It produces antinodes, which are the points of constructive interference.
Standing Wave: