Waves Mechanical Waves Amplitude Frequency / Period Wavelength Wave Phases Wave Speed 13.1 : Wave Basics / Wave Properties
Waves Medium A medium is the material, which a wave travels through (Solid, liquid, or a gas). Examples: o The medium of a water wave is the water o The medium of a sound wave is the air o The medium of a wave on a string is the string
Waves Pulse A single disturbance in a medium What is a wave? A wave is a vibration or disturbance that propagates though a medium or space. A series of pulses A waves job is to carry energy from one point to another. All waves transfer energy but not mass.
Waves 2 Types of Waves: Mechanical A mechanical wave is created when a source of energy causes a vibration to travel though a medium. Example: Sound Waves Electromagnetic Waves that do not need a medium (matter) to transfer energy Example: Light Waves (Section #14)
Mechanical Waves Uses matter (medium) to transfer energy. The energy is transferred from particle to particle as they collide
There are 2 types of Mechanical Waves: Transverse Waves Mechanical Waves Medium vibrates perpendicular (90º) to the direction the energy travels
Transverse Waves Examples: Transverse Waves 1. Shaking the end of a rope up and down 2. Shaking one end of the blanket up and down 3. Wave in the ball park
Transverse Waves Properties Transverse Waves Crest The highest point of the wave above the rest position. (The top of the hill ) Trough The lowest point of the wave below the rest position. (The valley of the wave)
Longitudinal Waves Longitudinal Waves A wave in which the medium vibrates parallel to the direction the energy travels. (sound)
Longitudinal Wave Properties Longitudinal Waves Compression An area where the particles in a medium are spaced close together. Rarefaction An area where the particles in a medium are spread out.
Longitudinal Waves Properties Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal Waves Examples: Longitudinal Waves 1. Waves produced by earthquakes 2. Sound Waves 3. Ultrasound
Longitudinal Waves
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
Wave Characteristics Amplitude The maximum distance (m) from the rest position of a wave to the top of a crest or the bottom of a trough.
Wave Characteristics Amplitude The greater the amplitude of a wave then the more energy it is carrying
Frequency Number of wavelengths to pass by a given point in 1 second Symbol: f Units: Hz Wave Characteristics f = #of _ waves #of _seconds
Wave Characteristics Which one of these waves has a higher frequency?
Period The time required for one complete wave to pass a certain point. Symbol: T Units: seconds Wave Characteristics T = #of _seconds #of _ waves
Wave Characteristics Period and Frequency Relationship T = 1 f f = 1 T
Wave Characteristics Example #1 10 complete waves pass in 5 seconds a. What is the frequency of the wave? b. What is the period of the wave? f = 2 Hz T = 0.5 seconds
Wavelength Length of one complete wave. o 1 complete wave ~ 1 whole crest AND 1 whole trough Symbol: λ (lambda) Units: m Wave Characteristics
Wavelength Wave Characteristics
Wavelength Wave Characteristics
Wave Characteristics Note: When frequency increases, wavelength decreases.
Wave Characteristics Which one of these waves has a larger wavelength (λ)?
Wave Characteristics Exercise Draw two waves that have the same amplitude but different wavelengths.
Wave Characteristics Exercise Draw two waves that have the same wavelength but different amplitudes.
Waves Phases
Waves Phases Wave Phases A waves phase is the position of a point in time (an instant) on a waveform cycle. A complete cycle is defined as the interval required for the waveform to return to its initial position. The graph below shows how one cycle constitutes 360º of phase.
Waves Phases
Waves Phases Phase difference between waves Waves of same amplitude, wavelength, frequency, can still be different. There can be phase differences between waves Here the phase difference is ½ a wavelength which is 180º Phase difference
Waves Phase Which points are in phase with point A? E and I Which Points are in phase with point C? G
Waves Phase Which Points are 180º out of phase with A? C and G Which Points are 90º out of phase with B and F? A, C, E, and G
Waves Phase Exercise Label the points on the waveform next to the degree they represent in the circle F B C A E G I D H
Wave Speed Wave Speed The speed of a wave is how fast the wave is traveling Formula V = f x λ Speed: m/s Frequency: Hertz (Hz) Wavelength: meters (m)
Wave Speed Problems Example #1 A sound wave in a steel rail has a frequency of 620 Hz and a wavelength of 10.5 m. What is the speed of sound in steel? V = f x λ V = 620 hz x 10.5 m 6,510 m/s
Wave Speed Problems Example #2 What is the speed of a wave with a frequency of 760 Hz and a wavelength of 0.45 m V = f x λ V = 760 hz x 0.45 m 342 m/s
Wave Speed Problems Example #3 A wave has a period of 0.25 seconds and a wavelength of 3 meters. What is the speed of the wave? V = f x λ V = 4 hz x 3 m 12 m/s
Wave Speed Problems Example #4 The wave below has a period of 0.05 seconds. What is the speed of the wave? V = f x λ V = 20 hz x 4 m 80 m/s