Wave Basics Wave Definition o Any traveling disturbance

Wave Basics

Wave Definition o Any traveling disturbance that transfers energy. WAVES DON’T MOVE MATTER!!! http: //www 1. moe. edu. sg/learn@/Quest/winners/secondary/raffles_girls_sch_nc/Folders/Frames/Images/wave. jpg

Crest o Peak or high point of a wave CREST

Trough o The low point of a wave TROUGH

Equilibrium o Resting point : Point of no disturbance…point in between the crest and trough EQUILIBRIUM

Amplitude o Point of maximum displacement from the resting point (Equilibrium) o This measures the Energy of a wave AMPLITUDE

Wavelength (λ) o Distance or length of one full wave cycle (trough to trough or crest to crest) WAVELENGTH o It should be the same distance for each wavelength

Wave Frequency o How often a full wave cycle occurs, or the amount of time it takes for one full wave cycle to occur. o Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) o Frequency also measures the pitch of a wave http: //www. davidjarvis. ca/dave/gallery/lg/sine-wave-frequency. jpg

Medium o The substance or “stuff” the wave travels through o For Example -Water -Air o There are no mediums in space! o This basically means NO SOUND!! o Light CAN travel without a medium. http: //odin. physastro. mnsu. edu/%7 Eeskridge/astr 101/Surface_waves. jpg

Electromagnetic Radiation Waves o These come from the sun… -Radio Waves -Microwaves -Infrared (Heat waves) -Visible Light -UV Rays -X-Rays -Gamma Rays http: //www. bxscience. edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/2000/Pics/x%20 rays. jpg

Sound Waves o Cannot travel in space! o Change in amplitude=volume o Change in Wavelength=pitch http: //www. brobproductions. com/bigstockphoto_Sound_Waves_1345039. jpg

Two Types of Waves o Transverse Waves --These waves go side to side o LIGHT!!! http: //www. dkimages. com/discover/previews/857/35069553. JPG o Longitudinal Waves --These waves push and pull o SOUND!!! http: //www. glenbrook. k 12. il. us/GBSSCI/PHYS/MMEDIA/waves/tfl. gif

Electro-magnetic Waves vs. Mechanical Waves (WAVE FORMS) o Electro-magnetic o Is able to transmit energy through a vacuum o Does not need a medium o Travels faster with no medium o Mechanical o Can’t transmit energy through a vacuum o Need a medium