A single disturbance that moves through a medium, causing particles to vibrate perpendicular to the direction of the pulse's travel.
Transverse Wave
A continuous series of disturbances where particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, characterized by crests (high points) and troughs (low points).
Medium of a Wave
The substance (solid, liquid, or gas) through which a wave travels.
Difference Between a Transverse Pulse and Wave
A transverse pulse is a single disturbance, whereas a transverse wave is a continuous series of such disturbances.
Key Wave Properties
Pulse Length: The distance over which a pulse occurs.
Wavelength (λ): The distance between two consecutive points in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest or trough to trough.
Amplitude: The maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position in a wave, indicating the wave's energy.
Crest: The highest point of a transverse wave.
Trough: The lowest point of a transverse wave.
In Phase: When two or more wave points reach their maximum or minimum displacement simultaneously.
Out of Phase: When wave points do not reach their maximum or minimum displacement simultaneously.
Period (T): The time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a fixed point.
Frequency (f): The number of complete wave cycles passing a fixed point per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Interference of Waves
Constructive Interference: When two waves meet in phase, their amplitudes add together, resulting in a larger amplitude.
Destructive Interference: When two waves meet out of phase, their amplitudes subtract from each other, potentially canceling out.
Principle of Superposition
When two or more waves overlap, the resulting displacement is the sum of the individual displacements.
Longitudinal Wave
A wave where particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel, featuring compressions (high-density regions) and rarefactions (low-density regions).
Compression and Rarefaction in Longitudinal Waves
Compression: The region in a longitudinal wave where particles are closest together.
Rarefaction: The region in a longitudinal wave where particles are furthest apart.
Properties of Sound Waves
Sound waves are longitudinal, requiring a medium to travel, and can be characterized by properties like frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and speed.
Reflection of Sound Waves
When sound waves encounter a surface, they can bounce back, leading to phenomena like echoes.
Echo
A reflected sound wave that is heard after the original sound, typically when the reflected wave returns after a delay.
Technologies Using Sound Reflection
Sonar: Uses sound waves to detect objects underwater by emitting pulses and measuring the time it takes for echoes to return.
Ultrasound: Employs high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal body structures, commonly used in medical imaging.
Geophysical Prospecting: Utilizes sound waves to explore underground structures, aiding in the discovery of resources like oil and minerals.
Visual Explanation of Transverse and Longitudinal Waves