Combined ScienceCode 5129
General properties of waves
What this topic asks you to be able to do
- Know that waves carry energy from one place to another without moving matter along with it
- Describe what wave motion means, using the examples of ropes and springs vibrating and of experiments with water waves
- Define these terms: (a) frequency – how many wavelengths pass a point in each unit of time (b) wavelength – the distance from one point on a wave to the next identical point, such as from one crest to the next (c) amplitude – the greatest distance measured from the mean position
- State from memory the equation “wave speed = frequency × wavelength”, v = f λ, and use it
- Know that in a transverse wave the vibrations are at right-angles to the way the energy is transferred, and give examples such as seismic S-waves (secondary), electromagnetic radiation and waves moving across the surface of water
- Know that in a longitudinal wave the vibrations are parallel to the way the energy is transferred, and give examples such as seismic P-waves (primary), sound waves, and the longitudinal waves in helical springs that are compressed, e.g. slinky toys