WAVES By Laurie Bianchi 4/24/03

A wave is a disturbance that carries energy through matter or space

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Water waves are a type of surface wave where two different media meet (example air and water)

In surface waves the particles move in a circular motion

pes.htm Mechanical waves – need a medium to go through Electromagnetic waves – don’t need anything to travel through.

pes.htm Almost all waves are mechanical waves and require a medium to travel.

Simple harmonic motion

pes.htm A medium is matter through which a wave travels such as air or water.

pes.htm Wave shapes are either longitudinal or transverse

pes.htm Transverse

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w.html Longitudinal

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Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic Waves do not need a medium to travel through. They can go through space.

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves with a variety of wavelengths and frequencies.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum See a wave in motion at this site. What is frequency?

peed-1.html A look at wavelengths changing

Click on the hyperlink below to learn about electromagnetic waves.

The electromagnetic spectrum Click on the link above for an introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum

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All about spectra Click on link to view web site

THE BASICS OF LIGHT (Blair 1999)

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MicroWorlds:

htm What happens when waves meet?

htm What happens when a wave meets another object?

l3c.html There is interference. It could be constructive or destructive.

Standing longitudinal waves

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