03+WAVE+PROPERTIES+AND+SPEED+EQUATIONS

=//Wa v e s ... //  Their Properties and Equations =



__Amplitude__
**As waves travel, they create patterns of disturbance. The amplitude of a wave is its maximum disturbance from its undisturbed position. Basically, it is the height of the wave but is only measured from the half way point. Sooo....**

__**Wavelength**__
**The wavelength of a wave is the distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next wave. It is it's name and is basically the length of the wave. It can be any place on the wave as long as it is the same place on both of the waves. However, the crest of the wave is usually the part of the wave used for this.**

__Frequency__
**The frequency is the speed of the wave. Frequency is caluculated by the number of waves produced each second and how many of those waves pass a perticular point each second.Frequency is usually meausured in hertz (Hz). However, it is common for kilohertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz) to be used when the waves have very high frequencies. For example, most people cannot hear a high-pitched sound above 20kHz, radio stations broadcast radio waves with frequencies of about 100MHz, while most wireless computer networks operate at 2.4GHz.**

__Longitudinal Waves (image A)[[image:strongphysics:slinky.jpg width="520" height="209" align="right"]]__
**Sound waves and waves in a stretched spring are longitudinal waves.In longitudinal waves, the vibrations are along the same direction as the direction of travel. Just like a slinky having a force pushed through it whilest its on a surface.**

__Transverse Waves (image B)__
**Light and other types of electromagnetic radiation are transverse waves. Water waves (a type of seismic wave: which are waves created by the earths movement) are also transverse waves. In transverse waves, the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel. Just like a slinky being flicked whithin the air or as if one end was attached to a wall and you were 'hand shaking' the other end.**

By Emilly and Beth


1.12 Describe that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter. 1.13 Use the terms of frequency, wavelength, amplitude and speed to describe waves. 1.14 Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves by referring to sound, electromagnetic and seismic waves. 1.15 Use both the equations for all waves.