- Wave theory is a branch of physics that studies the properties of waves.
- A wave can be described as a disturbance that travels through a medium from one location to another location.
- They consists of disturbances which transfer the energy in the direction the wave travels without transferring matter.
- Crest: A crest is a point on a surface wave where the displacement of the medium is at a maximum.
- Trough: A trough is the opposite of a crest, so the minimum or lowest point in a cycle.
- Amplitude: It is the distance from the centre line to the top of a crest or to the bottom of a trough.
- Wavelength: The wavelength can be measured as the distance from crest to crest or from trough to trough.
- Mechanical
- Electromagnetic
- A mechanical wave is a wave acts as disturbance, and therefore travels through a material medium.
- While waves can move over long distances, the movement of the medium of transmission the material is limited.
- Therefore, oscillating material does not move far from its initial equilibrium position.
- Mechanical waves are of two types:
- Longitudinal waves:
- These waves occur when the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
- It is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction that the wave moves.
- The longitudinal waves travel through a medium in the form of compression and rarefaction.
- Compression: It happens when molecules are forced, or pressed, together.
- Rarefaction: it occurs when molecules are given extra space and allowed to expand.
Transverse waves:
- These waves occur when a disturbance creates oscillations perpendicular at right angles to the direction of energy transfer.
- It is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29rKMlk4WMVKYAn-KBPz_iSA-Tw6h20jlwI2dVBPRocGzESPk4Za2YKocJbaWJVZA8rCi6OLly1JuGSffKbosdzT5fVLPUkTLLScUBQcn2i1MF1F7bDgcgc1luOa90SDXFcGSigHUiu1b/s1600/1-2.jpg)