Science notes
Wavelength
A wavelength is a way of measuring the distance
covered by a wave’s full cycle. They’re used to
measure many different types of waves, like
sound waves, light waves and electromagnetic
waves.
Crest - The highest point of the wave Wavelength - Distance from one crest to
the next
Through - The lowest point of the wave
Frequency - Measure of number of waves
Amplitude - Measure amount of energy it that pass a point in a given amount of
carries time.
Wavelength is measured meters, from peak to peak
or trough to trough.
Types of waves
- Longitudinal wave/ compression wave
- Transverse waves
Longitudinal wave
- A longitudinal wave passes through material
- The particles move parallel to the direction
of the motion of the waves
- Sound waves are longitudinal
Transverse waves
- When passes through material, the individual particles move
at right angles to the motion of the wave
- Light wave is a transverse
λ (wavelength, greek letter) = V/F (where V stands for velocity, and F
for frequency)
λ = lambda
Divide velocity by frequency for wavelength
1
, Frequency - How many times a wave is repeated past a certain point in a given amount of
times. Measured in hertz (hz)
Volume - Measured through how tall the crest is from the equilibrium, the taller the louder.
- The particles involved in waves move back and forth perpendicular to the way the
wave is going.
- Particles in water wave exchange kinetic energy to potential energy
- When particles move further away from their original position they slow down, this is
kinetic energy
- particles being closer together allows quick transfer of energy.
Mirrors and reflecting
Concave
● Curves inwards (caves in on itself). ● Objects appear bigger.
● Objects appear further ● Lay rays converge
Convex
● Curves outwards ● Objects appear larger
● Light rays diverge ● Objects appear closer
Converge
Light reflection that moves towards each
other
Diverge
Light reflection that moves away from
each
other
-
2
Wavelength
A wavelength is a way of measuring the distance
covered by a wave’s full cycle. They’re used to
measure many different types of waves, like
sound waves, light waves and electromagnetic
waves.
Crest - The highest point of the wave Wavelength - Distance from one crest to
the next
Through - The lowest point of the wave
Frequency - Measure of number of waves
Amplitude - Measure amount of energy it that pass a point in a given amount of
carries time.
Wavelength is measured meters, from peak to peak
or trough to trough.
Types of waves
- Longitudinal wave/ compression wave
- Transverse waves
Longitudinal wave
- A longitudinal wave passes through material
- The particles move parallel to the direction
of the motion of the waves
- Sound waves are longitudinal
Transverse waves
- When passes through material, the individual particles move
at right angles to the motion of the wave
- Light wave is a transverse
λ (wavelength, greek letter) = V/F (where V stands for velocity, and F
for frequency)
λ = lambda
Divide velocity by frequency for wavelength
1
, Frequency - How many times a wave is repeated past a certain point in a given amount of
times. Measured in hertz (hz)
Volume - Measured through how tall the crest is from the equilibrium, the taller the louder.
- The particles involved in waves move back and forth perpendicular to the way the
wave is going.
- Particles in water wave exchange kinetic energy to potential energy
- When particles move further away from their original position they slow down, this is
kinetic energy
- particles being closer together allows quick transfer of energy.
Mirrors and reflecting
Concave
● Curves inwards (caves in on itself). ● Objects appear bigger.
● Objects appear further ● Lay rays converge
Convex
● Curves outwards ● Objects appear larger
● Light rays diverge ● Objects appear closer
Converge
Light reflection that moves towards each
other
Diverge
Light reflection that moves away from
each
other
-
2
