What is a Wave Waves – a disturbance that carries energy from one place to another Energy causes matter to vibrate creating most waves. The waves carry energy through the matter. Vibrations- disturbances in matter that cause a repeated back and forth motion that creates most energy waves. **Waves Carry Energy NOT matter!!! **Waves only MOVE through matter!!
Parts of a Wave Crest – the highest point of a wave Trough – The lowest point of a wave Wavelength – The measure of distance from one crest to the next. Click Image For video
Wave Properties Frequency – The number of waves that pass a certain point in a certain amount of time. The higher the frequency, the more energy in the wave Click image for video
Wave Properties Amplitude – The height of a wave The more energy a wave carries, the larger the amplitude
Types of Waves There are two types of waves, those that must have matter to travel through and those that do not. Mechanical Waves – are energy waves that require matter to travel through. We call that matter a medium Medium – any type of matter a wave will travel through. Electromagnetic Waves – are energy waves that do NOT require matter to travel through. can travel through empty space called a vacuum Vacuum – space that is free of or contains NO matter.
Mechanical Waves Mechanical Waves REQUIRE a medium (matter) to travel through. There are 3 types of mechanical waves: Transverse, longitudinal and surface waves. They are classified (grouped) by the way the matter moves compared to the direction the waves is moving: Transverse – mechanical waves where matter moves perpendicular with the direction of the energy wave (up and down) CrestsWavelength CycleAmplitude Troughs
a. b. Crest Crest or peak trough C. d. wavelength amplitude
Mechanical Waves Longitudinal – mechanical waves that travel parallel with the direction (or in the same direction) of movement of the matter it is traveling through, creating a push and pull motion of the medium. (like a slinky) So it creates Compression and Rarefaction of the medium (Matter). Compression – where the medium is compressed or pushed together. Rarefaction – where the medium is expanded or pulled apart Compression – where the medium is compressed or pushed together. Rarefaction – where the medium is expanded or pulled apart
compression A B rarefaction
Mechanical Waves Transverse Waves Longitudinal Waves Have Crests and Troughs Have Compressions and Rarefactions **Both have FREQUENCY AND AMPLITUDE!!** VS
Waves do not move or carry energy include examples such as transfer energy through matter called a ________ includes transfer or carry mechanical waves matter can be classified into two categories electromagnetic waves medium solids, liquids, gasses longitudinal or compression waves transverse waves matter forward and backward in the same direction of wave movement matter up and down or back and forth at right angles compared to the direction of wave movement move to transfer do not require include examples such as matter energy are further classified into are a special type of “grouped” Sound Water Wind Earth - quakes Ex: sound Ex: wave in water “medium” Radio Visible light Microwaves UV rays X-rays