1. Waves

2. Wave: a disturbance of matter caused by energy.
Medium: The particles of matter that transport the wave’s energy.
May be solid, liquid, or gas.
Does NOT travel with the wave. After a wave has passes it returns to its original position.
Not all waves require a medium.

3. Mechanical wave: a wave which requires a medium
Ex: Sound
Electromagnetic wave: a wave which does not require a medium. (i.e. they can travel in a vacuum)

4. Electromagnetic waves involve both an electrical and magnetic component. These components are perpendicular to one another:

5. Waves do NOT transmit matter. They transmit energy.
Remember!
Waves do NOT transmit matter. They transmit energy.

6. Transverse Wave: vibrations of the medium are perpendicular to the wave motion.
Ex: a ripple in a lake.

7. Longitudinal Wave: vibrations of the medium are parallel to the direction of the wave motion.
Ex: a sound wave.

8. Properties of Waves
Wavelength: the distance between any two identical points on a wave, represented by the letter λ (lambda)
Since wavelength is a measure of distance the SI unit is the meter, however, wavelength is often given in nanometers.
Amplitude: the maximum displacement of a wave particle from the midpoint between the crest and the trough

9. Crest: the highest point on the wave.
Trough: the lowest point on the wave.

10. Frequency: the number of waves crests that occur in a unit of time, measured in hertz (Hz).
One hertz is equal to one peak per second.
Formula:
velocity = frequency x wavelength
v = f λ

11. Lower frequency waves:
Higher frequency waves:
Lower energy
Higher energy
Longer Wavelength
Shorter Wavelength