Wave Properties

Students will be able to

Explain wave structure

Contrast transverse and longitudinal waves

Describe properties of a wave

What are Waves?

Wave

A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another

5

What Carries Waves?

Medium

The material through which a wave travels

Examples: Liquids, Air, Solids…

Mechanical Waves

Waves that need a medium

Examples: Water and Sound

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that do not need a medium

Light 6

Transfer of Energy

Mechanical waves travel in a medium

but do not move

the medium to a different place

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What Causes Waves

A pulse or vibration causes a

medium to move energy

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Types of waves

Transverse waves (across)

High point – Crest

Low point – Trough

8

Types of waves

Longitudinal Waves

Move medium in to direction of motion

Compression = Come together

Rarefactions = Spread out

9

Representing Waves

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Three Properties of Waves

Waves can have different amounts

of energy

1. Waves can be tall or short

Amplitude

2. Waves can occur often or rarely

Frequency

3. Waves can move fast or slow

Speed

11

Amplitude

Maximum distance that the particles

of the medium carrying the wave

move away from the rest position

12

Wavelength

The distance between two

corresponding parts of a wave

13

Frequency

Number of waves that pass a

given point in a certain period

of time

Hertz

# of waves / second

13

Speed

Lightning

Light

Sound

Rumble

Why?

Light travels faster so it reaches you first

Sound travels slower so comes later

14

Speed

Formula

Speed = Wavelength x Frequency

Others can be used

Frequency = Speed / Wavelength

Wavelength = Speed / Frequency 14

Math

15

Homework

Draw and label a transverse and a

longitudinal wave.