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Wave
A distortion in a material or medium- individual parts of the material show periodic motion, but the waveform itself moves through the material.
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Transverse Wave
The direction of oscillation of a particle is perpendicular to direction of propagation of the wave. eg. electromagnetic waves, such as light.
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Longitudinal Wave
Direction of oscillation of a particle is the same as the direction of propagation of the wave.
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Amplitude (A)
The maximum distance travelled by a particle in the wave medium, measured with respect to the undisturbed position. (Unit: metres)
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Period (T)
The time required for one complete "up-down" oscillation cycle.
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Wavelength (λ)
The horizontal distance between two crests on the wave (or two troughs).
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Frequency (f)
- The rate at which the wave is travelling
- Unit: s-1 or Hertz (Hz)
- 1 Hz = 1 s-1
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Speed
Relationship between speed, wavelength, and frequency
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Sound
A longitudinal wave motion created by a vibration of e.g. a guitar string, human vocal cords, the diaphragm of a loudspeaker
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The Doppler Effect
The change in sound frequency experienced by a listener when there is a non-zero relative velocity between the source of sound and the listener.
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