GCSE Physics - Waves

1 Hertz

1 wavelength per second

wavefront

an imaginary line joining all points that are reached at the same time by a wave passing through a medium

Loud

big amplitude sound

Wavelength

distance from one peak to another

Wave Speed

frequency x wavelength

Amplitude

height of a wave measured from equilibrium position to peak or trough

High Pitch

high frequency sound

Frequency

number of wave crests passing a point each second

Longitudinal Wave

oscillations are parallel to direction of energy transfer

Transverse Wave

oscillations are perpendicular to direction of energy transfer

Compression

part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are closer together

Rarefaction

part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are further apart

Echo

reflected sound wave

Ultrasound

sound waves with higher frequencies than humans can hear

Period

time taken for one complete wave to pass

Mechanical Wave

waves that travel through a medium

Electromagnetic Waves

waves that travel through a vacuum at 300,000,000 m/s