Join
Topic

Waves I

Estimated reading: 2 minutes 659 views Contributors

Waves I: Introduction

– A wave is simply a disturbance that moves through a medium. Other waves do not require a medium to travel i.e. they can travel in a vacuum, are known as electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, X-rays, gamma rays UV rays etc.
– Other waves require a material medium to be transferred and are called mechanical waves i.e. water, sound waves etc.

Transverse and Longitudinal Pulses and Waves

1. Transverse waves

– They consist of a crest and a trough.
– In this case the displacement of the medium caused by these pulses are perpendicular to the direction in which the wave (disturbance) travels.
– A pulse is a single non-repeated disturbance.
– If the pulses are repeated periodically (regularly) they produce a series of waves called periodic transverse wave train.
– They can be produced as shown below.

Furniture From Wood - Geography Form Two

2. Longitudinal waves

– These are waves whereby the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of movement of the disturbance.
– When several turns of a spring are pulled together (compression) and then released they tend to spread out to their original position.
– When pulled apart (rarefaction) they also turn to their original position.
– In this case the displacement of the spring is parallel to the motion of the wave and this is known as longitudinal.

Furniture From Wood - Geography Form Two

Characteristics of waves

  1. All waves have speed which depends on the nature of disturbance.
  2. All waves have wavelength (distance between two successive points in a wave). Represented by the symbol λ and is measured in metres.
  3. All waves have frequency – ‘ f ‘ which is the number of waves passing a point in one second. It is measured in cycles per second or hertz (Hz). The period of a wave is the time required for a complete wave to pass a given point.
    Therefore T = 1 / f or f = 1 / T (period is measured in seconds).
    The speed ‘v’ is given as: v = λ / T, since f = 1 / T then v = (1 / T) x λ = f λ or v = f λ. This is the wave equation.
  4. All waves have amplitude which is the maximum displacement of the particles of the medium as the wave passes.
Waves I - PreviousHooke's LawNext - Waves ISound

Related articles

Leave a Comment

Share this Doc

Waves I

Or copy link

CONTENTS

Made with ❤️ by Darasa Huru

Learning BaseContact

Download Form Six General Chemistry Book (New Syllabus PDF)

Gain a commanding grasp of molecular characteristics, chemical structures, and t

Form Six General and Inorganic Chemistry Book PDF -TIE New Syllabus

Gain a commanding grasp of elemental characteristics, periodic patterns, and che

Download Form Five General and Inorganic Chemistry Book (TIE New Syllabus PDF)

Master the foundational behaviors, structural trends, and reaction mechanisms of

Form Five General Chemistry Book PDF- TIE New Syllabus

Master the essential theories of molecular structures and properties with the Fo

Download Form Five and Six Physical Chemistry Book (TIE New Syllabus)

Conquer the demanding mathematical frameworks and structural laws of chemical sy

Download Form Five and Six Physical Chemistry Book (TIE New Syllabus)

Master the intricate math and fundamental behaviors of matter with the Form Five

Form 5 and 6 Inorganic Chemistry Book PDF (TIE New Syllabus)

Enhance your comprehension of advanced chemical principles with the Form 5 and 6

Form Five and Six Organic Chemistry Book-TIE New Syllabus

Conquer the demanding hurdles of A-Level carbon chemistry with the Form Five and

Download Form Five and Six Inorganic Chemistry Book (TIE New Syllabus)

Deepen your grasp of advanced chemical principles with the Form Five and Six Ino

Form Five and Six Organic Chemistry Book PDF-TIE New Syllabus

Master the complexities of Advanced Level organic chemistry with the Form Five a

Form Six Chemistry

If Form Five was about laying the foundation of Advanced Level (A-Level) chemist

Form Five Chemistry

Transitioning from O-Level to A-Level chemistry is a massive step. Form Five Che

Chat Icon Close Icon

Subscribe

×
Cancel