1. Waves Notes

2. What is a wave?
A disturbance that transfers energy. Some types of waves require a medium to travel through while others don’t.
A medium is matter that a wave travels through (solid, liquid, gas).
Resting position

3. Different types of waves:
Sound waves and water waves travel through matter (mechanical waves). Other waves, like visible light, microwaves, X-rays, and radio waves, travel through empty space, as well as through matter (electromagnetic waves).

4. The peak, or highest point, of a transverse wave
What is a crest?
The peak, or highest point, of a transverse wave
Crest

5. The valley, or lowest point, of a transverse wave
What is a trough?
The valley, or lowest point, of a transverse wave
Trough

6. What is a wavelength?
The distance from any point on one wave to a corresponding point on an adjacent wave (ex. crest to crest or trough to trough)
Wavelength
Wavelength

7. What is frequency?
The number of oscillations produced in a certain amount of time. The greater the number of oscillations per second, the higher the frequency. The higher the frequency, the more energy carried by the wave. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz). One Hertz is equal to one wave per second.
Low frequency
High frequency
Low energy
High energy

8. What is amplitude?
The distance a wave oscillates from its resting position (is also known as the “height” of a wave). The larger the amplitude, the more energy carried by the wave.
Large amplitude
Small amplitude
Low energy
High energy