Exploring wave phenomena, this overview covers the propagation, characteristics, and types of waves, including electromagnetic and mechanical waves. It delves into the fundamental properties of periodic waves such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and phase. The text also distinguishes between transverse and longitudinal waves, illustrating their roles in natural occurrences like earthquakes and tsunamis, and their applications in technology like medical ultrasound.
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Electromagnetic waves, like light, can travel through a vacuum
Periodic Waves
Periodic waves have a consistent, repeating pattern characterized by a regular frequency and wavelength
Non-Periodic Waves
Non-periodic waves, like those in the open ocean, display irregular intervals and spacing
Waves are capable of transferring energy while the particles of the medium oscillate around their equilibrium positions without net movement in the direction of the wave
Wavelength
The wavelength is the spatial period of the wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats
Frequency
Frequency is the number of complete wavelengths that pass a given point per second
Amplitude
Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position
Period
Period is the time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave
Phase
Phase describes the position of a point on the wave cycle, with points in phase oscillating together and points out of phase oscillating in opposition
The wave equation relates the wave's speed to its frequency and wavelength
The amplitude and frequency of a wave are indicative of the energy it carries, with intensity being proportional to the square of the amplitude
Transverse Waves
Transverse waves have particles that move perpendicular to the wave's direction
Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal waves involve particles moving parallel to the wave's direction, creating compressions and rarefactions in the medium
Transverse Waves
Light waves and waves on a string are examples of transverse waves
Longitudinal Waves
Sound waves and earthquakes are examples of longitudinal waves
Transverse Waves
Transverse waves are used in phenomena such as light interference and superposition
Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal waves are used in medical ultrasound and can also have transverse components depending on the mode of imaging and tissue properties
00
______ are perturbations that convey energy from one location to another without the lasting displacement of the substance they pass through.
Waves
01
Periodic waves exhibit a uniform pattern with a steady ______ and ______, unlike non-periodic waves which show uneven intervals.
frequency
wavelength
02
Define wavelength in periodic waves.
Wavelength is the spatial period of a wave, the distance over which the wave's shape repeats.
