1. WAVES The Nature of Waves
Chapter 10, Section 1 Notes
WAVES
The Nature of Waves

2. Chapter 10 Main Idea: Waves transfer energy from place to place without transferring matter. Sec. 1 Main Idea: Waves move through matter as energy is transferred from particle to particle.

3. Wave – a repeating disturbance or movement that transfers energy through matter or space. Surfing, microwaves, earthquakes, and listening to music all depend on waves. See page 290.
1. Molecules pass energy on to neighboring molecules.

4. 2. Waves carry energy without transporting matter. 3
2. Waves carry energy without transporting matter. 3. All waves are produced by something that vibrates. See page Medium – a material through which a wave travels.

5. 4. Medium continued… a. May be solid, liquid, or gas. b
4. Medium continued… a. May be solid, liquid, or gas. b. Not all waves need a medium to travel through; example: light waves B. Mechanical waves – waves that can travel only through matter.

6. Transverse wave – matter in the medium moves back and forth at right angles to the direction that the wave travels; example: water waves
Compressional waves – matter in the medium moves in the same direction that the wave travels; example: sound waves. See page 292.

7. 3. Combinations – not purely transverse or compressional; examples: water waves, seismic waves. See pages 293 and 294.