Examples- sound, ultrasound, shock waves and slinky spring has compressions when pushed
Traverse waves- The vibrations are at 90 degrees to the DIRECTION ENERGY IS TRANSFERRED by the wave
Examples- light, all other EM waves, waves on strings, ripples on water and slinky spring goes up and down
Frequency (f) - is how many complete waves there are per second. Measured in hertz (Hz)
Amplitude- is the height of the wave (from rest to crest)
Speed (v) - how fast it goes
Period (T) - the time taken for a complete wave to pass a point
Wave transfers energy and information without transferring matter:
- All waves carry energy in the direction they travel e.g. microwaves
- waves can also be used as signals to transfer information form one place to another e.g. radio waves through the air
Wave Speed = Frequency x Wavelength
v = f x λ
Frequency and time period
f = 1/time period
Paper Two- Diffraction:
Is the spreading out of the waves into the area behind a barrier. The effect is the most noticeable when the wavelength is about the same as the gap through which they are moving
Waves going through a gap that is BIGGER than their wavelength. They DON'T diffract
Waves going through a gap that is SMALLER than their wavelength. They DO diffract
a) No Diffraction- gap is much wider than wavelength
b) Diffraction only on the edges- gap is a little bit wider that wavelength
c) Maximum diffraction- gap is the same as the wavelength
When waves encounter obstacles diffraction causes them to bend around the obstacle. The LONGER the wavelength, the MORE they diffract and bend around.
