WAVES

Mechanical Energy is transferred when objects are pushed or pulled over a distance. The amount of energy transferred increases as the strength of the force increases or as the distance covered by the object increases.

MORE FORCE = MORE ENERGY TRANSFER MORE STRENGTH = MORE ENERGY TRANSFER GREATER THE DISTANCE = MORE ENERGY TRANSFER

When energy is transferred waves are created. A wave is a disturbance caused by energy transfer Almost all waves need a substance to travel through.

A ______________ is the material a wave travels through. Examples: air, water, some solids Waves that require a medium are called mechanical waves Waves travel the fastest in which type of medium? Liquid, solid gas? WHY?

Types of Mechanical Waves 1. Transverse Waves: a wave that vibrates the medium at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction the wave is traveling.

The high point on a transverse wave is called the _______________. The low point on a transverse wave is called the ___________________.

2. Longitudinal Waves: a wave that vibrates the medium in the same direction in which the wave is traveling These waves compress and expand.

Compression: this is the area where the coils are close together. Rarefaction: this is the area where the coils are spread out.

3. Surface Waves: these waves are a combination of transverse and longitudinal waves. These waves travel along a surface that separates two mediums. Examples: ocean waves and seismic waves

Frequency Wave period – the time needed for one wave to pass a certain point. Frequency – is the number of waves that pass a certain point in a specific amount of time. (usually 1 sec.) Frequency is measured in HERTZ (Hz)

Frequency vs Wavelength Speed = distance/time Wave speed = wavelength/wave period The longer the wavelength the lower the frequency The shorter the wavelength the higher the frequency