Resources: Making Waves - Comparing Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

• Types of waves and wave vocabulary:
  1. transverse waves: rest position (equilibrium); crest; trough; wavelength; amplitude; and frequency, measured in hertz (Hz). Explore transverse travelling waves (a Java applet). Discover the interrelationships among wavelength, amplitude, and frequency.
  2. longitudinal waves (scroll past info re: transverse waves): compression; rarefaction. Explore longitudinal travelling waves (a Java applet). Discover the interrelationships among wavelength, amplitude, and frequency. See how a longitudinal wave can be represented as a transverse wave (e.g., sound converted to voltage): click "whiten rarefaction"; click "freeze"; click "select (a point)" then click anywhere along waveform; check "graph"; and click "continue."
• Point of Focus: The speed (v) of light (or sound) is constant, therefore frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) are inversely proportional (v = f x λ). Frequency Wavelength Converter (also available in table form). See also, Distance and Length Converter (also available in table form).
• The Electromagnetic Spectrum (similar graphic, oriented vertically). See also, Electromagnetic Spectrum (page 3 of 3). (Segue to the FCPS lab activity, The Spectacular Spectrum...)