1. Types of Waves

2. The material through which a disturbance travels.
Medium
The material through which a disturbance travels.

3. A single non-periodic disturbance.
Pulse
A single non-periodic disturbance.

4. A wave whose source is some form of periodic motion.
Periodic wave
A wave whose source is some form of periodic motion.

5. Electromagnetic waves
A family of waves that do not require a medium for propagation.

6. A wave that requires a medium for propagation.
Mechanical wave
A wave that requires a medium for propagation.

7. Types of mechanical waves
There are two main types of mechanical waves:
Longitudinal
Transverse

8. Longitudinal
Longitudinal waves displace the medium parallel to the direction of wave motion.

9. Longitudinal animation
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Wlo-avi

10. Transverse
Transverse waves displace the medium perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.

11. Transverse animation
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Wtr-avi

12. Water Waves Animation
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Wwa-avi

13. Motion of the medium
Note that mechanical waves displace the medium but do not carry the medium along with the wave.

14. Waves transport energy
This means mechanical waves transport energy from place to place, not the medium.

15. Speed of Mechanical Waves

16. String
T = tension in string
µ = mass per unit length

17. µ vs. ρ

18. General Format for Mechanical Waves

19. Sound
B = Bulk modulus
ρ = density of medium

20. Speed of Sound in Air