1. What are waves? Honors Physics

2. What are waves? A wave is a periodic disturbance in a solid, liquid or gas as energy is transmitted through a medium. A wave is a periodic disturbance in a solid, liquid or gas as energy is transmitted through a medium. A “medium” is the matter that the wave travels through. A “medium” is the matter that the wave travels through. Waves carry energy without carrying matter. Waves carry energy without carrying matter.

3. Electromagnetic Waves Waves that do not require matter to carry energy Waves that do not require matter to carry energy These waves can use a medium to travel or they can travel through matter-less places such as space. These waves can use a medium to travel or they can travel through matter-less places such as space.

4. Mechanical Waves Waves that use matter to transfer energy. Waves that use matter to transfer energy. Example: Seismic waves from earthquakes, also sound waves Example: Seismic waves from earthquakes, also sound waves In a drum the sound waves you hear com from compressions of air In a drum the sound waves you hear com from compressions of air

5. Types of Mechanical Waves Transverse Waves Transverse Waves The wave energy causes the matter in the medium to move up and down or side to side at right angles to the direction the wave is traveling. The wave energy causes the matter in the medium to move up and down or side to side at right angles to the direction the wave is traveling. Compressional Waves Compressional Waves The wave energy moves forwards and backwards in the direction that the wave is traveling. The wave energy moves forwards and backwards in the direction that the wave is traveling.

6. Three Ways to Measure Waves Wavelength: The distance from the top of one crest to the top of the next. Unit of measure is m Wavelength: The distance from the top of one crest to the top of the next. Unit of measure is m Amplitude: The measure of how high the crests are or how low the troughs are from the rest point in the middle. Unit of measure is m Amplitude: The measure of how high the crests are or how low the troughs are from the rest point in the middle. Unit of measure is m Frequency: the number of wavelengths that pass a given point in 1 second. Frequency: the number of wavelengths that pass a given point in 1 second. Unit of measure is Hertz (Hz) Unit of measure is Hertz (Hz)