Waves Basics
Physics · तरंगों की मूल बातें · 15 facts
Wave: disturbance transferring energy without moving matter
Mechanical waves need medium; EM waves do not
Transverse: perpendicular vibration (light, water surface)
Longitudinal: parallel vibration (sound in air)
Wavelength: distance between consecutive crests/troughs
v = f x wavelength (speed = frequency x wavelength)
Amplitude: max displacement; determines wave energy
Superposition: waves meet, result = sum of displacements
Constructive interference: larger amplitude; Destructive: cancellation
Standing wave: two opposite waves; nodes and antinodes
Diffraction: wave bending around obstacles/narrow openings
Doppler Effect: apparent change in frequency due to relative motion of source/observer
Frequency unit is Hertz (Hz); 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second
Resonance: natural frequency of object matches driving frequency; amplitude largest
Seismic waves: P-waves (longitudinal) travel through solid+liquid; S-waves (transverse) only solid