1. Characteristics of Waves

2. 1What is a wave? A wave is a traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another. 2.Where do waves get their energy? From vibrations 3. Vibration- rapid back and forth movement 4.What is a medium? The substance through which a wave is transmitted. Waves that require a medium are called MECHANICAL Waves that require no medium or can go through a vacuum are called ELECTROMAGNETIC

3. 5.Name the characteristics all waves have in common. Amplitude, Wavelength, and Frequency 6.What is a crest? The highest point of a wave. 7.What is a trough? The lowest point of a wave

4. 8.Define amplitude. The height of a wave. 9.What does amplitude indicate? The amount of energy carried by a wave 10.As energy increases, amplitude increases.

5. 11.Define wavelength. The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs 12.What units are usually used to measure wavelength? Meters or Centimeters. 13.Define Frequency? The number of complete waves or cycles per unit of time

6. 14. What units are normally used to measure frequency? HERTZ One HERTZ is equal to one wave per second. 15.Name the two types of waves: Tranverse, and Longitudinal

7. 16.Transverse-A wave in which the motion of the medium is at right angles to the direction of the wave. 17.Longitudinal-A wave in which the particles of the medium move back and forth in the direction of the wave motion. 18.Compression-Part of a medium where the particles are close together. 19.Rarefaction-Part of a medium where the particles are far apart

8. 20. Speed = Frequency x Wavelength Example 10 x 30= 300 21. Name the 4 interactions that can occur with waves: Refraction, Diffraction, Reflection, Interference 22.Reflection-Bouncing back of a wave after striking a barrier.

9. 24.The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of REFLECTION. 25.Refraction- The bending of waves due to a change in speed. 26.Why does refraction occur? When waves move at different speeds in different mediums 27.Diffraction-The bending of waves around the edge of an obstacle.

10. 28.Interference-When 2 or more waves arrive at the same place at the same time. 29.Constructive interference is when the same points on each wave combine and they add together to make one big wave. 30.Destructive interference is when opposite points on each wave combine they cancel out each other.