Waves: Properties and Types
Waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter. Understanding wave properties is essential for explaining sound, light, seismic activity, and many technologies from radio to medical ultrasound.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Transverse waves: particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel (e.g. light, water waves)
Longitudinal waves: particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel (e.g. sound)
Amplitude: the maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position; related to energy
Wavelength: the distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave (e.g. crest to crest)
Frequency: the number of complete waves passing a point per second; measured in hertz (Hz)
Key Vocabulary
Amplitude
The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position; related to the energy of the wave
Wavelength
The distance between two successive identical points on a wave (e.g. crest to crest, trough to trough)
Frequency
The number of complete wave cycles passing a fixed point per second, measured in hertz (Hz)
Transverse Wave
A wave in which particles vibrate at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of energy transfer
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
In a transverse wave, how do particles vibrate relative to the direction the wave travels?
Question 2
Sound is an example of a longitudinal wave. This means:
Question 3
A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz. What does this mean?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Transverse waves: particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel (e.g. light, water waves)
- ●Longitudinal waves: particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel (e.g. sound)
- ●Amplitude: the maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position; related to energy
- ●Wavelength: the distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave (e.g. crest to crest)
- ●Frequency: the number of complete waves passing a point per second; measured in hertz (Hz)