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Types of waves

Waves are one of the ways in which energy may be transferred between stores. Waves can be described as , or about a rest position. For example:

  • sound waves cause air particles to vibrate back and forth
  • ripples cause water particles to vibrate up and down

The direction of these oscillations is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves. In , the vibrations are parallel to the direction of wave travel. In , the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of wave travel.

Mechanical waves cause oscillations of particles in a solid, liquid or gas and must have a to travel through. Electromagnetic waves cause oscillations in electrical and magnetic fields.

It is important to remember that all waves transfer energy but they do not transfer . For example, if a ball is placed on the surface of a pond when ripples move across it, the ball will move up and down but not outwards with the wave. Similarly, when sound waves move through the air to a person's ear, the air itself does not move - instead the sound is transferred through the vibrating molecules, which stay where they are and vibrate about a fixed point.

Parts of a wave

Waves are described using the following terms:

  • Peak - the highest point above the rest position.
  • Trough - the lowest point below the rest position.
  • Amplitude - the maximum displacement of a point of a wave from its rest position.
  • Wavelength - the distance covered by a full cycle of the wave. Though usually measured from peak to peak or trough to trough, it can be measured between any two points of identical displacement.
  • Time period - the time taken for a full cycle of the wave. Usually measured from peak to peak, or trough to trough.
  • Frequency - the number of waves passing a point each second.
    • Frequency (f) = 1 梅 time period (T).

Diagram of a wave

Image of a wave, with all of the different components labelled; including the amplitude and the wavelength.