Wave Properties: Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

• Waves are disturbances transferring energy through a medium or space
• Waves are characterized by amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed
• Two main types of waves exist: transverse and longitudinal.

Transverse Waves

• Particles of the medium move perpendicularly to the direction of wave propagation
• Examples include light waves, water waves, and waves on a string

Longitudinal Waves

• Particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of wave propagation
• An example is sound waves

Wave Properties

Amplitude

• The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position

Wavelength

• The distance between two consecutive points in phase, such as crest to crest or trough to trough
• Represented by the symbol λ

Frequency

• The number of complete oscillations or cycles per unit of time
• Measured in Hertz (Hz)
• Denoted by f

Period

• The time taken for one complete oscillation or cycle
• Represented by T
• T = 1/f

Wave Speed

• The speed at which the wave propagates through the medium
• Denoted by v
• v = fλ

Wave Behavior

Reflection

• The bouncing back of a wave when it encounters a boundary
• The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

Refraction

• The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another because of a change in speed
• Governed by Snell's Law: n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2, where n represents the refractive index

Diffraction

• The spreading of waves as they pass through an opening or around an obstacle
• More pronounced when the wavelength is comparable to the size of the opening or obstacle

Interference

• The superposition of two or more waves resulting in a new wave pattern
• Constructive interference happens when waves are in phase, increasing amplitude
• Destructive interference happens when waves are out of phase, decreasing amplitude

Superposition Principle

• When two or more waves overlap in the same region of space, the resultant displacement at any point is the vector sum of the displacements of the individual waves

Constructive Interference

• Occurs when waves are in phase
• The amplitude of the resultant wave is greater than the amplitudes of the individual waves

Destructive Interference

• Occurs when waves are out of phase
• The amplitude of the resultant wave is smaller than the amplitudes of the individual waves

Standing Waves

• A wave pattern created when two waves of equal frequency and amplitude travel in opposite directions and interfere
• Characterized by nodes (points of zero displacement) and antinodes (points of maximum displacement)

Resonance

• The phenomenon occurring when a system is driven at its natural frequency, resulting in a large amplitude oscillation
• Occurs when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency of the system

Doppler Effect

• The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source
• The frequency increases as the source and observer approach each other
• The frequency decreases as the source and observer move away from each other

Sound Waves

• Longitudinal waves that propagate through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas)
• The range of human hearing is approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
• The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium

Intensity

• The power per unit area carried by a sound wave
• Measured in Watts per square meter (W/m^2)

Decibel Scale

• A logarithmic scale utilized to measure sound intensity level
• Measured in decibels (dB)

Electromagnetic Waves

• Transverse waves not requiring a medium to propagate
• Consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other and to the direction of propagation
• Includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• The range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation
• Arranged in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength

Light Waves

• Electromagnetic waves visible to the human eye
• Wavelengths range from approximately 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red)

Polarization

• The phenomenon in which the oscillations of a transverse wave are confined to a single plane
• Can occur through reflection, refraction, or absorption

Wave-Particle Duality

• The concept that light and matter exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties
• Demonstrates that particles can also behave as waves

Learn about wave properties such as amplitude, wavelength, frequency and wave speed. Explore the two main types of waves: transverse waves, where particles move perpendicular to the wave direction, and longitudinal waves, where particles move parallel to the wave direction.