1. Wave Notes

2. WAVES

3. Waves carry energy, NOT matter!
What are Waves?
Wave - traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another
Waves carry energy, NOT matter!

5. Where Do Waves Get Energy?
Vibration - movement that follows the same path repeatedly
An object that is vibrating is moving, and if it is moving it has energy.
The movement of energy from a vibrating source outward is a wave.

6. The matter, or substance, through which a wave is transmitted is called a medium.
Water is a medium for ocean waves.
Air is a medium for sound waves.

7. Types of Waves
Mechanical Waves - require a medium!
a. Transverse b. Compressional or
Longitudinal
2. Electromagnetic Waves - can travel through matter and empty space.

8. CLICK the Slinky to watch a transverse wave.
causes particles in matter to move back and forth at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels
CLICK the Slinky to watch a transverse wave.

9. ·high points are called crests ·low points are called troughs
Please draw a picture of this in your notes. Label the crests and trough.

10. Longitudinal or Compressional Wave
causes particles in matter to move back and forth along the same direction in which it travels

11. CLICK below to watch a compressional wave.
RAREFACTION
COMPRESSION
DRAW & LABEL IN NOTES
Compressions - coils are squeezed together
Rarefactions - coils are spread apart

12. Surface Waves
Wave that consists of a combination of transverse and longitudinal waves and occurs at the surface between two different mediums
Surface waves occur at the
surface between two different
mediums – water and air.

13. Electromagnetic Waves
transverse wave that contain electric and magnetic parts that vibrate perpendicular to the direction that the wave travels

14. Properties of Waves
Wavelength - distance between one point on a wave and the nearest point just like it

15. Frequency - number of full wavelengths that pass by a point each second
*The unit used to measure wave frequency is called the hertz(Hz)
*One hertz is equal to one wave, or cycle, per second:
1 Hz = 1 wave/sec.

16. Amplitude - half the distance between a crest and trough

17. Wave Speed - distance per time that a given wave travels.
Waves travel at different speeds in different mediums
Speed =
Frequency X Wavelength

18. CLICK the wave to watch a BrainPop on WAVES!

19. CLICK below for an activity on WAVES!