Longitudinal & Transverse Waves

This lesson covers:

  1. The basics of waves
  2. The wave frequency equation: f=1Tf=\frac{1}{T}
  3. The wave speed equation: v=λfv=λf
  4. The difference between 'transverse' and 'longitudinal' waves
Illustration of a wave demonstrating energy transfer without transferring matter.

Waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Diagram showing the wavelength of a wave with distance in meters.

The wavelength of a wave is the d of one entire oscillation of that wave.

istance

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1

Diagram showing the amplitude of a wave as the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.

The amplitude of a wave is the maximum d from the equilibrium position (the x-axis).

isplacement

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Graph showing the time period of a wave with time on the x-axis and oscillation on the y-axis.

The is the time it takes for one entire oscillation of a wave.

time
period

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The formula for frequency is:

f=vTf=vT

f=1Tf=\frac{1}{T}

f=kTf=\frac{k}{T}

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The unit for frequency is:

Hz

Hs

m/s

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A wave has a time period (T) of 0.2 s.


What is the wave's frequency?

5

Hz

Hz

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The formula for wave speed is:

v=fλv=fλ

v=fλv=\frac{f}{λ}

v=λfv=\frac{λ}{f}

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Diagram showing a wave with crests and troughs.

A wave has a wavelength of 3 m and frequency of 20 Hz.


What is the wave's speed?

60

m/s

m/s

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A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer is a:

Longitudinal wave

Transverse wave

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A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer is a:

Transverse wave

Longitudinal wave

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