Please be Seated
Making Waves Physics is Phun January 2007
View this PowerPoint program Programs for Pre-College Students
Bell in Vacuum Experiment
Transverse Waves
c = f c = speed of light f = frequency = wavelength
Speed of Light (in a vacuum) c = 300,000,000 m/s = 3 x 10 8 m/s
Longitudinal Waves
s = f s = speed of sound f = frequency = wavelength
Speed of Sound s = m/s ~1087 ft/s at 0 o C s = depends on temperature but not on pressure
The “Sonic” Spectrum Infrasound: 20 kHz (~10 13 Hz maximum)
Light waves: 1. are transverse waves. 2. do not require a medium. Sound waves: 1. are longitudinal waves. 2. require a medium.
Wave Properties I Superposition Hugygens’ Principle Doppler Effect
Superposition
Huygens’ Principle
Doppler Effect Sound Doppler Ball Moving Cars, etc. Light Spectra of stars
Fraunhofer Spectrum
Wave Properties II Diffraction Interference Reflection Refraction
Diffraction Waves spread out and bend around corners within the same medium.
Highway Sound Barrier Photograph courtesy of Enterprise Flasher Company
Interference Two-source interference pattern Moire figure model
Bose QuietComfort 2 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Light examples
“Iridescence” of peacock feather
Reflection
Refraction Waves bend due to variation of medium.
Waves at the Beach
Mirage Formation
Water Mirage
Desert Lake
Mirage Compliments of Robert Greenler
Sunrise over the Ocean
The End See you next time! Animated Gifs compliments of bellsnwhistles.com We are on the web at