Parts of a wave
Part 1
In
the diagram below, identify the parts of a wave and then give a
definition of each term.
Crest
/ trough /
line
of origin / wavelength / amplitude
5.-crest :
A crest is the highest point of the wave.
2.-trough:
A
through is the lowest point of the wave
1.-line
of origin :
The line of origin is where the wave starts. Indicates the medium
when is at rest.
3.-wavelength:
The
wavelength is the distance between one crest or trough to the next
crest or trough.
4.-amplitude.
Amplitud is how far the medium moves from rest position
Part 2
State
which of the following waves you think has the highest
frequency
and which might have the lowest
frequency.
Explain the reasons for your selections.
wave
#
|
crest
|
Trough
|
wavelength
|
1
|
1
cm
|
1
cm
|
2
cm
|
2
|
3.5
cm
|
3.5
cm
|
2.5
cm
|
3
|
0.5
cm
|
0.5
cm
|
3
cm
|
4
|
2
cm
|
2cm
|
0.5
cm
|
(Perhaps
it would be useful for you to draw, on graph paper, the four
different waves )
Highest
frequency:
4 because have got the lowest wavelength, and that makes the wave to
have a fast frequency.
Lowest
frequency:
3 because have the highest wavelength, and that maks the wave have a
long distance between one crest and the othe oner, and that's the
frequency.
Waves
Wave Types
- Transverse waves:
Waves in which the medium moves at right
angles to the wave
direction.
- Compressional (longitudinal)
wave: Waves in which the medium moves back
and forth in
the same direction as the wave.
Comparing
transverse and longitudinal waves.
- Wavelenght:
The distance between one point on a wave and the exact
same place on the
next wave.
- Frequency:
How many waves go past a point in one
second; measured in
Hertz
(Hz). The higher the
frequency, the more energy
in the wave.
- Amplitude:
How far the medium (crests and troughs, or compressions and
rarefactions) moves from rest
point/
line of origin
(the place the medium is
when not moving). The more
energy a wave carries, the
larger
its amplitude.
- Wave speed:
Depends on the medium the wave is traveling in. This varies in
solid,
liquid
and gases