Revise: Wave parameters and behavioursWave parameters and behaviours
Waves cause a disturbance of the medium through which they travel. This allows them to carry energy. The quantity of energy carried relates to the amplitude of the wave.
A waveSomething that can transfer energy. is something that transfers energy from one point to another. For example, a sound wave transfers energy from a loudspeaker to your ear. Sound and water waves require particles to vibrate to allow energy to be transferred.
There are two types of wave:
transverse waveA wave that moves in a direction at right angles to the way in which the particles are vibrating.
longitudinal waveA wave that moves in the same direction as the direction in which the particles are vibrating.
