Wave Types and Terminology PDF

# Introduction - $f: \frac{1}{T}$ - $v: \frac{\lambda}{T} = \lambda f$ - $f$: frequency - $v$: speed - $\lambda$: wavelength ## Waves - Disturbance/oscillation that carries energy from one point to another without transmission of matter - Wave propagation (movement) - Transfers energy...

# Introduction - $f: \frac{1}{T}$ - $v: \frac{\lambda}{T} = \lambda f$ - $f$: frequency - $v$: speed - $\lambda$: wavelength ## Waves - Disturbance/oscillation that carries energy from one point to another without transmission of matter - Wave propagation (movement) - Transfers energy - Doesn't move objects ## Wave Types - **Wave Pulse**: Single vibration - **Wave Train**: Continuous vibration ### Transverse Waves Particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of the wave propagation. - Particles travel up and down! ### Longitudinal Waves Particles vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave. - Particles move back and forth ## Surface Waves - Combination of the two - Particles move in circles ## Types of Waves - **Mechanical Waves**: Travel through medium (air, water, etc.) - Examples: Sound - **Electromagnetic Waves**: Don't travel through a medium, always travel at the speed of light (3x10^8 m/s) - Examples: Light, radio waves - **Matter Waves**: Subatomic particles that have wave-like properties - Not Studying - **Gravity Waves**: A ripple in the fabric of space-time itself - Not Studying ## Speed of Waves - **Mechanical Waves**: Move slowest in the least elastic/dense medium - Vacuum - Gas - Liquid - Solid (Most Dense) - **Electromagnetic Waves**: Move fastest in the least elastic/dense medium (Vacuum) - Vacuum - Gas - Liquid - Solid (Most Dense) ## Wave Terminology - Wavelength ($\lambda$): Length of one oscillation (measured in meters) - Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a particle from the rest/equilibrium position - Measured in meters. - Frequency (f): Number of waves passing through a point per second - Measure in Hz (Hertz) - **Universal Wave Equation:** $v = \frac{\lambda}{T} = \lambda f$ - v: Wave speed ## Wavelength & Frequency - Wavelength and frequency are **inversely proportional**. - Shorter wavelength = Higher frequency - Longer wavelength = Lower frequency