Wave Properties Types of Waves 1 Wave Rhythmic

Wave Properties & Types of Waves 1

�Wave - Rhythmic disturbance that carries energy through matter and space �ALL WAVES CARRY ENERGY! �Pulse – one wave that travels through a medium �Continuous waves – waves that repeatedly move up and down 2

Medium �Most waves need something to travel on (or through) �The substance through which a wave travels is a medium 3

�Amplitude (A) maximum displacement of a particle from rest or equilibrium position. Measure in units of length �Phase related to the position and motion of the particles of the medium 4

Period and Frequency �Period (T) – time it takes for one wave to pass �The unit of a period is the second (s) �Frequency (f) – the number of waves that pass each second �The unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz) 5

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

Formula 1 �Frequency = 1/ period �f = 1/T 7

Formula 2 �Frequency = # waves / time �f = # waves / t 8

Formula 3 �Velocity= frequency x wavelength �v = f x λ or λ/T 9

Transverse Waves �Transverse waves – matter in the medium moves back and forth at right angles to the direction that the wave travels. 10

Parts of a Transverse Wave �Crest – top of a wave �Trough – bottom of a wave 11

Parts of a Transverse Wave �Amplitude – ½ the height of a wave �Relates to the amount of energy carried by the wave 12

Parts of a Transverse Wave 13

Parts of a Transverse Wave �Wavelength – the length of one cycle of a wave �Abbreviated by using the symbol, λ 14

Transverse Wave �Frequency – how many cycles (waves) are completed in a given time (usually 1 second) 15

Compression/ Longitudinal Waves �Compressional waves – matter in the medium moves in the same direction that the wave travels. Example: Sound waves 16

Parts of a compression wave Compression – the area where the particles are more dense 17

Parts of a compression wave Rarefaction – The less dense area of the wave 18

Parts of a compression wave Wavelength – One complete cycle of a wave 19

Surface Waves �both transverse & compressional; �examples: water waves, seismic waves 20

Standing Waves �Appear to be standing still �Standing waves are caused by two waves continuously interfering with each other. 21

Types of Waves… 22