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Waves - Examples

Waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter. Wave motion (the movement of waves) can be shown by the vibrations of a spring or by water waves.

Springs - transverse waves

Springs - transverse waves

  • Hold one end of a horizontal spring in a fixed position and move the other end of the spring up and down.
  • We can observe a wave moving from the end we are holding towards the fixed end of the spring.
Water

Water

  • When a wave travels along the surface of water, a cork floating on the surface of the water will only move up and down as the wave passes.

Frequency and Period

All waves have a frequency and a period of oscillation.

Frequency

Frequency

  • Frequency is the number of oscillations (vibrations) per second.
    • Frequency = number of oscillations ÷ time
  • The frequency is equal to 1 divided by the period.
    • Frequency = 1 ÷ period
  • Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Periodic time

Periodic time

  • The periodic time of a wave is the time taken to complete one oscillation (vibration).
  • It is equal to 1 divided by the frequency.
    • Periodic time = 1 ÷ frequency
  • The periodic time of a wave is measured in seconds.

Measuring Waves

Two important measurements for waves are amplitude and wavelength. Both are measured in metres.

Amplitude

Amplitude

  • The amplitude of a wave is the largest distance that a point on the wave moves from its rest position.
  • For example, the distance from the rest position of a wave to the top of a wave’s peak.
Transverse

Transverse

  • The wavelength is the distance between two adjacent wavefronts. For transverse waves, this is the distance between two peaks of adjacent waves.
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Principles of Science I

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Structure & Bonding

1.2

Properties of Substances

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Contemporary Issues in Science

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