Types of waves

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  • Created by: emews
  • Created on: 05-11-17 14:48
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  • Types of waves
    • Longitudinal
      • Sound
      • In longitudinal waves, the oscillations are along the same direction as the direction of travel and energy transfer.
      • Sound waves and waves in a stretched spring are longitudinal waves. P waves are also longitudinal waves.
      • Longitudinal waves show areas of compression and rarefaction.
    • transverse
      • Light
      • In transverse waves, the oscillations are at right angles to the direction of travel and energy transfer.
      • Light and other types of electromagnetic radiation are transverse waves.
      • All types of electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed through a vacuum, such as through space.
      • Water waves and S waves are also transverse waves.
    • Seismic waves travel through the layers of the Earth. They usually result from an earthquake, volcanic eruption or other explosion.
    • Earthquakes happen when large parts of the Earth's crust and upper mantle move suddenly.
    • Earthquakes are detected using a seismometer – a piece of equipment that picks up the vibrations in the ground.
    • A scientist can work out the location of an earthquake by calculating the time difference between the arrival of the P waves and S waves.
    • The speed of P waves and S waves increases as they travel deeper into the Earth’s mantle.
    • S waves cannot pass through the liquid outer core, but P waves can.

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