Types of waves study guide

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Types of waves study guide

WAVE ENERGY
Wave- a traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another. Waves do not carry matter, they carry energy.
Vibration – any movement that follows the same path repeatedly; gives the wave its energy.

Medium

Medium – the matter or substance the wave moves through. Example: water is the medium for ocean waves; air is the medium for sound waves.
Waves that require a medium are called mechanical waves.
Waves that do not are called electromagnetic. Ex. Light, x-rays, microwaves.

Parts of the wave…

The highest point of a wave is called the crest.
The lowest point of a wave is called the trough.
Amplitude – from rest to crest, or rest to trough.
Wavelength – distance between two crests or between two troughs.
Frequency – the number of complete waves per unit of time. or…how quickly/slowly a wave occurs. Measured in Hertz (Hz)
1 hertz = one wave per second.

Types of waves

Transverse waves – a wave in which the motion of the medium is at right angles to the direction of the wave (up and down). Imagine a rope going up and down
Longitudinal waves – the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave (back and forth) in a series of compressions and rarefactions. Imagine an accordion …
Compression – when particles are crowded together.
Rarefaction – when particles are spaced far apart.

Surface wave – both transverse and longitudinal occurring at the surface between two mediums.

Example: ocean waves between both ocean water and air.

Measuring waves…

Speed of wave = wavelength x frequency.
Example: a wave with a frequency of 5 hertz and a wavelength of 2 m is moving @ a speed of 10 m/sec.
The speed depends on the medium it is traveling through.

Wave Interactions

Reflection – the bouncing back of a wave after it strikes a boundary that does not absorb all of its energy. Example: looking into a mirror
The Law of Reflection states that the angle of incidence (I) is equal to the angle of reflection (R)
Refraction – the bending of waves due to a change in speed.
Example: light as it enters water is bent.
Diffraction – the bending of waves around the edge of an obstacle.
Example: water waves bending around a floating log.
Interference – when two or more waves arrive at the same time.

Constructive – when they form one stronger wave together.
Destructive – when they form one weaker wave together.

Standing wave – is a wave that does not appear to be moving.

Resonant frequency – the frequency at which a standing wave occurs.
Example: pushing a child who has already been swinging makes it easier.

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