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Waves and Optics Class Notes Part 1

This document provides an overview of waves and optics concepts including definitions of different types of waves such as transverse, longitudinal, periodic, and pulse waves. It also defines key wave properties including amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, and oscillation. Diagrams are included showing transverse and longitudinal wave displacement graphs as well as a diagram categorizing different types of waves.

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59 views3 pages

Waves and Optics Class Notes Part 1

This document provides an overview of waves and optics concepts including definitions of different types of waves such as transverse, longitudinal, periodic, and pulse waves. It also defines key wave properties including amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, and oscillation. Diagrams are included showing transverse and longitudinal wave displacement graphs as well as a diagram categorizing different types of waves.

Uploaded by

reeta ram
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Section C - Waves and Optics Class Notes


Definition of a wave - a wave can be described as a disturbance that travels through a medium
(or no medium), transporting energy from one location (its source) to another location without transporting
matter.

There are 5 types of waves on the syllabus:


1. Pulse Wave - is a non-periodic waveform
e.g. e.g.

2. Periodic Waves - A periodic wave is a series of regular timed disturbances in a medium.


e.g.

3. Progressive waves - This is a wave which travels out form the source that made it and
transfers energy from one point to another.

4. Transverse Waves- This is a wave in which particles of the medium move (displacement) in
a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves. e.g. light, a wiggling string, ocean waves, and
ripples from a stone thrown into a pond

5. Longitudinal waves - a wave in which particles of the medium move (displacement) in a


direction parallel to the direction that the wave moves. e.g. sound waves, slinky
2

Waves can also be categorized as follows in the diagram below:

Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves


3
Parts of a Wave –
Transverse Wave - Displacement – Distance Graph

Longitudinal Wave - Displacement – Distance Graph

Parts of a Wave Definitions


Amplitude – Distance between the resting position and the maximum displacement of the wave
Oscillation – A complete oscillation occurs when the wave moves to and fro from its original position
and moves in the same direction as its original motion.
Wavelength – The wavelength (λ) is the distance between adjacent identical parts of a wave, parallel
to the direction of propagation.
Frequency – Number of complete wavelengths passing a point in 1 second (Hertz, Hz).

Period (Periodic Time) – Time it takes for one wave cycle to complete

**Home-Work  Worksheet 1-Class_Wave Basics-Multiple Choice**

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