(8.1 – 8.3)

 A wave is an oscillation that transfers energy through space or mass  A vibration or oscillation is classified as a cyclical motion about an equilibrium point.

MECHANICAL WAVES ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES  Require a medium to transmit energy Examples:  Sound waves (medium = air)  Ocean waves (medium = water)  Waves on a guitar string (medium = metal strings)  Can travel without a medium (ie. In a vacuum) Examples:  Light  Radio waves  Ultraviolet waves  Infrared waves

 Mechanical Wave: the transfer of energy through a material due to vibration.  Medium: the material that permits the transmission of energy through vibrations.  Net Motion: the displacement of a particle over a certain time interval; the difference between the particles initial and final positions.

TRANSVERSE WAVESLONGITUDINAL WAVES  particle vibration is perpendicular to the direction of the energy transfer  particle vibration is parallel to the direction of the energy transfer  Sometimes called compression waves

TRANSVERSE WAVESLONGITUDINAL WAVES Example:

Crest – Max point of transverse wave Trough – Min point of transverse wave Amplitude – The maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium point

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