1. Wave Properties
Summarize factors that influence the basic properties of waves (including frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and speed)

2. Factors that Influence Wave Properties
Wavelength
Frequency
Amplitude
Speed

3. Wavelength
Wavelength is the distance between one point on a wave and the nearest point just like it.
The measure of the distance between two successive identical parts of a wave (crest to crest in for transverse, compression to compression for compressional/longitudinal)

4. Shorter Wavelength
Longer Wavelength

5. Compressional or Longitudinal Wave

6. Frequency = 1 full wavelength
Frequency is the number of full wavelengths that pass a point each second.
Measures how rapidly vibrations occur in the medium, at the source of the wave, or both.
= 1 full wavelength

7. Frequency Equation: Frequency = # waves/time Measured in Hertz (Hz)
shorter WAVELENGTHS = Greater ENERGY = Higher FREQUENCY
Longer w a v e l e n g t h s = Less energy = smaller frequency

8. Higher Frequency
Lower Frequency

9. Amplitude Greater amplitude = greater energy
Amplitude is a measure of the distance between a line through the middle of wave and a crest or trough. (half the height)
Greater amplitude = greater energy

10. Neither: same frequency (# WL/time)
What kind of wave is shown?
How many wavelengths are shown?
Which wave has less energy, A or B?
Which wave has greater frequency, A or B?
transverse 2 B
Neither: same frequency (# WL/time)

11. What is the amplitude?
Amplitude = 0.75
Amplitude = 1.0

13. Speed Speed is the distance a wave travels per time
Wave speed is determined by
Type of wave
Nature of medium
Waves travel at different speeds through different mediums.
As a wave enters a different medium, the wave’s speed changes.
All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in empty space:
300 million m/s!

14. Speed Sound waves travel faster through denser mediums.
The sound wave will travel the fastest through which medium?
Air
Water
Wood
Steel

16. Wave Type
Speed
Sound Waves
330 m/s
(3.3 x 102 m/s)
Radio Waves
300,000,000 m/s
(3.0 x 108 m/s)

17. The GREATER the energy Remember The smaller the wavelength
The GREATER the FREQUENCY
The GREATER the AMPLITUDE

18. Determining the number of wavelengths…
precursor to reading diagrams and graphs

19. 1 wavelength

20. 1.5 wavelengths

21. 2 wavelengths

22. How many wavelengths? 3

23. How many wavelengths?

24. #1 answer (3.5)

25. How many wavelengths?

26. #2 answer (6)

27. How many wavelengths?

28. #3 answer (5.5)

29. Determining Frequency from a graph

30. Frequency = #of waves/time
Frequency Equation
Frequency = #of waves/time
Measured in Hertz (Hz)

31. 3 waves 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3
Time in seconds

32. from 0 to 12 seconds 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3
Time in seconds

33. Frequency = 3 cycles/12 s = 0.25 Hz4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3
Time in seconds

34. 1 cycle in 4 seconds= 0.25 Hz 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3
Time in seconds

35. Frequency = 1 wave cycle / 4 seconds = 0.25 Hz6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3
Time in seconds

36. What is the frequency? 8 10 14 20 22 24 2 4 6 12 16 18
Time in seconds

37. Frequency? 3 waves/ 24 s= 1/8 Hz 0 to 24 seconds 3 waves 8 10 14 20 222 4 6 12 16 18
Time in seconds

38. Frequency = 1 cycle in 8 seconds= 1/8 Hz10 14 20 22 24 2 4 6 12 16 18
Time in seconds

39. #1 frequency= ? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Time seconds

40. #1 f= 1/8 Hz 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 11 12
Time seconds

41. #2 frequency= ? 18 20 22 22 24 2 6 8 10 12 14 16 26 4
Time seconds

42. #2 f= 1/8 Hz 18 20 22 22 24 2 6 8 10 12 14 16 26 4
Time seconds

43. #3 frequency = ? 40 45 50 55 5 20 25 30 35 60 65 70 10 15
Time seconds

44. #3 f = 1/20 Hz 40 45 50 55 5 20 25 30 35 60 65 70 10 15
Time seconds

45. E)Type of Wave: A B
Transverse E C D