Waves Wave Properties Waves Repeating disturbances that transfers
Waves
Wave Properties Waves Repeating disturbances that transfers energy Transports energy without transporting the matter the wave moves through Types of waves Electromagnetic (aka Transverse) - Ex: Light Mechanical (aka Compressional and Longitudinal) - Ex: Sound
1. Mechanical Waves a. Require a medium to travel through b. Speed of waves depend on the medium Travels fastest in solids, slowest in gasses c. Medium – matter a wave travels through
2. Electromagnetic Waves Caused by vibrating electric charges Do not need a medium to travel through Can travel through space Travel at 3 E 8 m/s
Transverse Waves Transverse waves – matter in the medium moves perpendicular to the direction the wave travels Ex: waves at the beach, or fans at a sporting event Wave Travel Medium Travel
Transverse Waves Wave Travel Medium Watch this dot!
Parts of a Transverse Wave Crest: the highest points Troughs: the lowest points Wave length (λ): distance between 2 identical points Amplitude (A): Energy or Height of the wave Wave Length Amplitude trough Wave Length
Longitudinal Waves A. K. A Compressional waves – Matter in the medium moves parallel to the direction that the wave travels Example: sound waves
Longitudinal Waves Wave Travel & Medium Watch this dot!
Parts of a Longitudinal wave Compression - dense regions Rarefaction - less dense regions Wavelength (λ) – distance between 2 identical points Amplitude – Energy or Density of the compression of the wave Wave Length Amplitude Wave Length Compressions Rarefactions
Combination Waves Combinations – Not purely transverse or compressional Example: water waves or seismic waves
Wave Calculations Recall: T=1/ƒ Period (time/cycles) Velocity of a wave: V = wavelength times frequency Frequency is inversely related to the wavelength v= λƒ Increasing the frequency decreases the wavelength. Frequency f=1/T (cycles/time)
- Slides: 12