Waves 5222012 Waves travel and transfer energy in

Waves 5/22/2012

Waves travel and transfer energy in an oscillating fashion (they wiggle). The amplitude, y, of a wave describes its height from zero to a crest. The wavelength, λ, of a wave is the distance between crests.

Waves & Energy If both waves travel at the same speed, which one would have more complete wave cycles passing a point in a given time interval? shorter Since waves transfer energy, which one has more energy? shorter Higher frequencies have higher energy & lower wavelength.

Waves & Energy

Longitudinal Waves Sound waves are called longitudinal, which means that the vibration is back and forth in the same direction as the direction of travel. In our slinky demo, longitudinal waves (or compression waves) moved along the slinky, not up & down.

Transverse vs. Longitudinal Waves Sound is a longitudinal wave, meaning that the vibrations move the same direction the wave is traveling in

Transverse Waves Light waves are called transverse, which means that the vibration is perpendicular to the direction the waves is traveling. So if a wave is moving from left to right, the vibration is up and down. In our slinky demo, transverse waves were when the slinky moved up and down.

Transverse vs. Longitudinal Waves Transverse waves (water waves, light waves) move perpendicular (at a 90 o angle) to the direction of the wave and the direction its energy is traveling

Example of what a speaker does to air molecules to produce sound A longitudinal wave!