1. Waves
Traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another.
Do not carry matter! [
Click here for a wave animation

2. Waves Medium – The matter that the wave travels through.
This determines the speed of a wave!!!

3. Medium & Waves
Mechanical Waves – these require a medium to travel through.
Example: Sound Waves
Click here for a mechanical wave video

4. Medium & Waves
Electromagnetic Waves – do not need a medium to travel through. [

5. Shapes of Waves Transverse Waves
The medium moves at right angles to the direction of the wave.
Transverse wave demo [

6. Shapes of Waves
Crests or peaks (high points) and troughs (low points) are created. [

7. Shapes of Waves Compressional Waves
The medium moves back and forth in the same direction as the wave.
Also known as longitudinal. [

8. Click here for compressional demo #1
Shapes of Waves
These have compressions and rarefactions.
Click here for compressional demo #1
Click here for compressional demo #2

9. Water Waves
Surface moves up and down, but also slightly back and forth.
Only move “matter” near shoreline! [
Water wave demo