1. Chapter 22 The Energy of Waves
Pg. 600

2. The Nature of Waves
Wave – a periodic disturbance in a solid, liquid, or gas as energy is transmitted through a medium.

3. Medium
Medium – a substance through which a wave can travel. (ANY solid, liquid, or gas).
Any wave that needs
a medium is called a
Mechanical wave.
(Ocean waves, sound wave, and earthquake)

4. Waves without a medium
Electromagnetic waves – waves that do not need a medium.
Include: visible light, microwaves, TV signals, radio waves, and X rays.

5. Types of waves There are three types of waves. Transverse waves
Longitudinal waves
Surface Waves

6. Transverse Waves
Transverse waves – a wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicularly to the direction the wave is traveling.
The wave travels forward, while the medium moves up and down.
CREST
CREST
TROUGH
TROUGH

7. Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal Wave – a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion.
Particles move back and forth, just like the wave does. Think of a spring.

8. Properties of Waves
Amplitude – the maximum distance that the particles of a wave’s medium vibrate from their rest position.
The larger the amplitude, the more energy the wave has.
Amplitude
WAVELENGTH
REST Position
WAVELENGTH

9. Which wave has a higher amplitude?
Which wave has more
Energy?

10. Wavelength
Wavelength- the distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave.
Shorter wavelength = more energy.

11. Frequency of a Wave
Frequency – the number of waves produced in a given amount of time.
Higher frequency = more energy
Frequency is measured by counting how many waves pass by in a certain amount of time.