Wavefronts
- Waves can be represented graphically in two different ways:
- Wavefronts - lines joining all the points that oscillate in phase and are perpendicular to the direction of motion (and energy transfer)
- Rays - lines showing the direction of motion (and energy transfer) of the wave that are perpendicular to the wavefront
Wavefronts and rays for transverse waves travelling in a horizontal plane
- The distance between successive wavefronts is equal to the wavelength of the waves
- Ripple tanks are used a common experiment to demonstrate diffraction of water waves
Wave effects may all be demonstrated using a ripple tank
- The diagram below shows how the wavelengths differ with frequency in a ripple tank
- The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength
- The lower the frequency, the longer the wavelength
Ripple tank patterns for low and high frequency vibration
