Waves no matter what type, all have properties. Height is a property of waves no matter if it’s a ripple in a glass or a giant wave at the beach, it can be measured.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  The speed of a water wave is another property that can be measured.  Time and length are the final properties of a wave.  Scientists use amplitude, wavelength, and frequency to commonly measure wave properties.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  Five ways in which you can measure wave properties are: 1. Crest 2. Trough 3. Amplitude 4. Wavelength 5. Frequency

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  Frequency and wavelength are related, as frequency increases wavelength decreases.  Therefore as wavelength decreases frequency increases.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  Wave speed can be measured, to determine the speed of a wave you can time how long it takes for a wave to get from one point to another.  The speed of any wave can be determined when both the frequency and the wavelength are known using the following formula: Speed= Wavelength x Frequency

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  All waves need to travel through a medium. This could be air, water, or the ground. The motion of waves change when they encounter a solid object such as a wall.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  Waves (Water waves, sound waves, and light waves) behave predictably and show 3 behaviors: Reflection, Refraction, or diffraction.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  Reflection can occur in all three waves. Like all waves the actual wave is transferring energy. When a water wave meets the medium of a wall, it pushes against the wall.  The wall applies an equal an opposite force on the water, sending the wave back in another direction.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  A great example of another type of wave would be when sound waves reflect off a gym walls, producing an echo.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  Occasionally a wave does not bounce back when it reaches a new medium, instead the wave continues to move forward. When a wave enters a new medium at an angle it refracts.  Refraction occurs because waves travel at different speeds and a different mediums.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  A great example of refraction would be light waves in water. Objects in the water look broken or split.  You are viewing refraction of the light waves caused by the change of medium from air to water.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  Diffraction the last type shows how waves interact with a partial barrier. This occurs in all types of waves.

Waves are predictable and have measurable properties  A example of diffraction would be how sound waves diffract as they pass through an open doorway. If you walk into another room open and close the door you will notice how the sound waves diffract off the open and closed door.