WAVES
A Wave is the motion of a disturbance… Almost all waves require a medium through which to travel **Mechanical Waves**
*Medium does NOT move with wave
Transverse Wave Particles in the disturbed medium move perpendicular to the motion of the wave Motion of duck/water Motion of wave
Longitudinal Wave Particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave motion. Example: Sound Waves
Parts of a Transverse Wave Wavelength – the distance between two adjacent similar points of a wave Amplitude – maximum displacement from equilibrium Crest – highest points above the equilibrium position Trough – the lowest point below the equilibrium position
V = f * λ Wave Speed V = wave speed (m/s) f = frequency (Hz) λ = wavelength (m)
Interference – Superposition of Waves Constructive Destructive
Standing Wave Resultant wave pattern that appears to be stationary on the string Consists of alternating regions of constructive and destructive interference. http://www.physics.nyu.edu/%7Ets2/Animation/waves.html#
Standing Waves A wave pattern that results when two waves of the same frequency, wave length and amplitude travel in opposite directions and interfere Node – where complete destructive interference happens Antinode – where complete constructive interference happens
Harmonics Vibrating Strings produce Standing Waves *Frequency of Vibration of an object is called its Fundamental Frequency Multiples of the fundamental frequency are called Harmonics
Harmonics depend on how many nodes are present in the standing wave. n = # of nodes - 1 f = n * v n = 1, 2, 3…. 2L λ= 2L/n F = frequency (Hz) λ= wavelength (m) n = harmonic number v = wave speed (m/s) L = length of vibrating string (m)