Question

1. Compare and contrast the two kinds of waves.

Answer 1

Answer:

Look at the diagrams for 2 and 3.

Explanation:

1. There are two ways to categorize waves.

Direction of particles of the wave:

If you need to differentiate them based on direction of particles of the waves then you have either longitudinal or transverse.

Particles of the medium of longitudinal waves move parallel to the direction or movement of the wave.  On the other hand, transverse waves are waves where the particles of the medium it travels through move perpendicular to the motion of the wave.  

Ability to transmit energy through a medium or vacuum

You have the mechanical wave and the electromagenetic wave (em wave).

The main difference between these two is that mechanical waves travel through a medium. Basically, they need the molecules in the medium, which collide or bump into each other to pass on the energy. An example would be sound waves.

Electromagnetic waves differ because they do not need a medium. They can travel through a vacuum. Like light waves.

2.

Crest - It is the displacement of a wave in the upwards direction. In short it is the peak or the highest point of a wave.  

Trough - It is the opposite of the crest, so it is the displacement of a wave going downwards. To put it shortly, it is the depth or lowest point of a wave.

If you will get the distance between the crest and trough, you will see that it is twice the measure of the amplitude, which you will be defined later on.

Wavelength - is the distance between two crests or two troughs of two consecutive waves. It is measured in meters and goes with the direction of the wave.

Amplitude - height or depth of the crest or trough from the rest position. It is also measured in meters. It is defined as the displacement of the wave from the rest position or point.

Look at image B, to see the different parts.

3.

Standing waves are waves that vibrate vertically and have the same frequency and amplitude.

Nodes are points in the wave where the amplitude is equal to zero or at their resting point. Antinodes are points in the wave where the amplitudes are at their maximum.

Look at image C.