1. Waves

2. What is a wave?
 - a repeating disturbance or movement that transfers energy through matter or space
Examples:
ocean waves
light
sound

3. Waves travel through matter - this is called the MEDIUM
Mediums can be - solid  (earth)
- liquid (water)
- gas  (air)
Light and radio waves travel through space and do not need a medium.

4. Electromagnetic Waves
these are made by vibrating electrical charges that can travel through space where matter is not present
They do NOT require matter to move through
     

5. Transverse Waves - medium moves at a right angle to the direction of the wave (like in the ocean)
Compression waves - medium moves along the same direction as the wave, visualize a coiled spring.

6. The Parts of a Transverse Wave
The high part of the wave is the CREST
The low part of the wave is the TROUGH

7. The Parts of a Transverse Wave
Wavelength = the distance from one point of the wave to the next point (from crest to crest, or from trough to trough)

8. The Parts of a Transverse Wave
FREQUENCY =  number of waves that pass a point in a second
Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz)
Each wave has a PERIOD, which is the amount of time it takes for one wavelength to pass a point

9. If you make transverse waves by moving a rope up and down, you can increase the frequency by moving the rope faster. This makes the wavelength SHORTER high frequency = short wavelength low frequency = long wavelength

10. Wave Speed - how fast a wave travels    Speed (m/s) =  frequency (Hz)  x wavelength (m)
Greek letter lambda is used to represent wavelength

11. Wave Amplitude
Amplitude is related to the amount of energy a wave carries.
Tighter packed coils of the slinky will cause greater energy.
In the rope, raising the hand higher and causing "bigger" waves increases the amplitude
Amplitude = height of wave

12. Bill Nye Episode #51.