Y3 RP PHYSICS

Waves
Definition of a wave:

A disturbance
that transfers energy
through vibrations
from one place to another
without transferring matter.

DEVAM

Formation of a wave:
CONDITIONS:

CHARACTERISTICS:

The rope is the medium.

Individual particles do not
move with the wave.

Each section of the rope

Set into up-and-down motion
By the previous section
As the wave propagates.

<EUPP>
Up

= Crest Convex converging light bright fringe

Down = Trough Concave diverging light dark fringe

Transverse wave
Longitudinal Wave
travels in a direction
travels in a direction parallel
perpendicular to the direction to the direction of vibration.
of vibration.
Crests and Troughs

Compression VS Rarefaction
Rarefactions are between
successive compressions.

Key Terms
Term
Definition
Displacemen Distance of the oscillating particle
t
from its equilibrium position at any
point in time.
Amplitude
Maximum displacement of the
oscillating particle in a wave
measured from the equilibrium
position.
Period
Time taken to complete one
oscillation of the wave.
Time taken for the wave to pass a
point / leave its source.
Frequency
Number of oscillations made by the
wave per second1.

Fun Stuff

symbol is A

T/s

f / Hz
f = 1 / T.

Number of waves per second passing (Frequency = 1 / Time

taken to complete one
a point.
oscillation)

{Can be modelled by a
distance-time graph}

Wavelength

Least distance between

corresponding points in successive
waveforms2.

1 Or whatever unit of measurement of time.

2 Also described as points on the wave that are in phase.

/m

v=

wavelength
period

distance
time

v = frequency x wavelength