Characteristics of Waves The properties of a waveforms

Characteristics of Waves • • • The properties of a waveforms are: amplitude velocity frequency period wavelength • All periodic (repeating) waveforms have these common characteristics

Amplitude the maximum displacement of a particle of the medium from the rest or equilibrium position denoted by A and measured in units of length (m)

Velocity - thespeed of the wave denoted by v and measured in units of dist/time (m/s) The speed of a wave depends on the properties of the medium through which it is traveling. v = d/t = l/T = f l

Frequency - the number of waves that pass a given point in one second denoted by f and measured in units of Hz Period -the shortest time interval during which the motion of the wave repeats itself denoted by T and measured in units of time (s) f = 1/T & T = 1/f

Wavelength the horizontal distance of one complete wave (crest to crest or trough to trough) denoted by l and measured in units of length (m)

Wave are oscillations (repeating disturbance or movement) that transfers energy through matter or space. Wave- energy transfer due to the movement of a vibration longitudinal or compressional transverse from a source pulse (single event) continuous (repeated events) through a medium Physical matter for mechanical waves Electric and magnetic fields for electromagnetic waves

Classification of Waves Mechanical Electromagnetic Longitudinal Transverse Surface Classification according to medium through which wave travels Classification according to wave orientation

Mechanical Waves There are 3 types of mechanical waves. – 1) transverse waves – 2) compressional waves or longitudinal waves – 3) surface waves Electromagnetic Waves Electric & magnetic fields are needed for ELECTROMAGNETIC waves. Light, radio, x-rays, and gamma rays are some examples of e/m waves.

Mechanical Waves • Matter is the medium (solid, liquid or gas) • Sound is a mechanical wave

Electromagnetic Waves • Electric and magnetic fields are the media • Light is an electromagnetic wave

TRANSVERSE The displacement of the particles of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. LONGITUDINAL The displacement of the particles of the medium is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Longitudinal • Longitudinal wave has oscillations that travel parallel (same direction) to the direction of motion • Made up of compressions and rarefactions in the medium that they are traveling in • Examples: sound waves and s waves for earthquakes

Longitudinal Waves • A sound wave is a classic example of a longitudinal wave • As a sound wave moves from the lips of a speaker to the ear of a listener, particles of air vibrate back and forth in the same direction and the opposite direction of energy transport http: //www. glenbrook. k 12. il. us/gbssci/phys/Class/sound/u 11 l 1 a. html

Transverse Waves • Transverse wave: has its oscillations perpendicular to the direction of the wave. The wave moves left to right and the oscillation moves up and down • All electromagnetic waves are transverse. This includes light.

Transverse Waves • Particles vibrate at right angles to the direction of the wave's velocity Example: waves along a string PARTICLE DISPLACEMENT 90° VELOCITY http: //online. cctt. org/physicslab/content/Phy 1/lessonnotes/waves/lessonwaves. asp