1. Lecture 39 The Nature of Waves Ozgur Unal
NIS – PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Lecture 39
The Nature of Waves
Ozgur Unal

2. The Nature of Waves What is wave? What is in a wave?
How can you describe a wave?
A wave is a repeating disturbance or movement that transfers energy through matter or space.
Example: Water waves, sound wave, light etc.

3. The Nature of Waves Waves transfer energy
Waves travel through matter or space
Anything that vibrates can create wave

4. Mechanical Waves
Some waves, such as sound and earthquake waves, require a medium to travel through.
A medium can be solid, liquid or gas, or a combination of these.
Not all waves require medium, such as light.
Waves that require a medium to travel through are called mechanical waves.
Example: Sound wave, wave in a rope or water etc.
There are two types of mechanical waves:
Transverse waves
Compressional waves

5. Mechanical Waves
In a transverse wave, matter in the medium moves back and forth at right angles to the direction that the wave travels.
Example: Waves in a rope
In a compressional wave, matter in the
medium moves back and forth along the
same direction that the wave travels.
Example: Sound waves

6. Water Waves
Water waves are not purely transverse waves

7. Seismic Waves
Seismic waves are a combination of compressional and transverse waves.