WAVES
WAVES
WAVES
Transverse Waves
Transverse waves can be seen in a rope when it is moved quickly up and down
Longitudinal Waves
Waves where the points along its length vibrate parallel to the direction of energy
transfer
The key features of a longitudinal wave are where the points are:
o Close together, called compressions
o Spaced apart, called rarefactions
Longitudinal waves are usually drawn as several lines to show that the wave is
moving parallel to the direction of energy transfer
o Drawing the lines closer together represents the compressions
o Drawing the lines further apart represents the rarefactions
Longitudinal waves are represented as sets of lines with rarefactions and
compressions
The different properties of transverse and longitudinal waves are shown in the table:
Worked example
The diagram below shows a loudspeaker generating sound waves, which travel to the
right as indicated. Sound waves are longitudinal.A dust mote floats in the air just next to
the loudspeaker, labelled D.
Draw arrows on the diagram to indicate how the dust mote D would vibrate as sound
waves pass it.
Step 1: Recall the definition of longitudinal waves
o Points along longitudinal waves vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer
o This means the dust mote vibrates in a line parallel to the direction of the sound
waves drawn
Step 2: Draw arrows at the point labelled D to show it vibrating in parallel to the
direction of the sound waves
Waves & Energy
Waves transfer energy and information
Waves are described as oscillations or vibrations about a fixed point
o For example, ripples cause particles of water to oscillate up and down
o Sound waves cause particles of air to vibrate back and forth
In all cases, waves transfer energy without transferring matter
Objects floating on water provide evidence that waves only transfer energy and
information and not matter
Waves transfer energy and information, but not matter. This toy duck bobs up
and down as water waves pass underneath
Exam Tip
Exam questions may ask you to describe waves and this is most easily done by drawing
a diagram of the wave and then describing the parts of the wave - a good, clearly
labelled diagram can earn you full marks!
You may also be asked to give further examples of transverse or longitudinal waves - so
memories the lists given here!
Amplitude
The distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave
Wavelength
Wavelength is defined as
The distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave.
In a transverse wave:
o The wavelength can be measured from one peak to the next peak
In a longitudinal wave
o The wavelength can be measured from the centre of one compression to
the centre of the next
The wavelength is given the symbol λ (lambda) and is measured in metres (m)
The distance along a wave is typically put on the x-axis of a wave diagram
Frequency
Time Period
The time period (or sometimes just 'period') of a wave is defined as:
The time period is given the symbol T and is measured in seconds (s)
Wavefront
Wavefronts are a useful way of picturing waves from above: each wavefront is
used to represent a single wave
The image below illustrates how wavefronts are visualised:
o The arrow shows the direction the wave is moving and is sometimes
called a ray
o The space between each wavefront represents the wavelength
o When the wavefronts are close together, this represents a wave with
a short wavelength
o When the wavefronts are far apart, this represents a wave with
a long wavelength