Waves: Sound and Light IPC Unit 6
Waves Wave-a disturbance that transmits energy through space Most waves require a medium (matter through which a wave travels like water or air)
Two Types of Waves Transverse wave-particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction the wave Ex: wave in water, light wave
Transverse Waves Crest-High point of a wave Trough-Low point of a wave Amplitude-Distance from rest position to crest or trough; amount of energy in wave Wavelength (λ)-distance between any two successive identical parts of a wave Crestcrest, troughtrough, rarefactionrarefaction
Two Types of Waves Longitudinal wave-particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave Ex: slinky, sound wave
Longitudinal Waves Compression–part of wave where the coils/particles are pressed together Rarefaction–part of wave where the coils/particles are spread apart
Wave Interactions Reflection-the bouncing back of a wave as it meets a surface or boundary
Wave Interactions Refraction-the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another
Wave Interactions Diffraction-the bending of a wave as it passes an edge or an opening
Wave Interactions Resonance-one vibration causes another vibration
Wave Interactions Interference-combination of two or more waves Constructive interference: waves combine so that the resulting wave is bigger than the original waves Destructive interference: waves combine so that the resulting wave is smaller than the original waves