1

PHYSICS Mr. BALDWIN

WAVES 23-Jan-14AIM: How can the speed & type of a wave be

determined?

DO NOW1. What do waves transport?2. What do all waves have in common?3. What is the frequency of blue light that

has a wavelength of 480 nm?

HOMEWORK: Worksheet: 20.1 Waves

2

RECALL: Wave Property Relations

• The frequency is inversely proportional to the period

• WAVE EQUATION: The wave speed is equal to the product between the frequency & wavelength

• Speed of light (E-M)

• ALTERNATE FORMS

1fT

v f

v vff

3

Types of Waves: Transverse & Longitudinal

The motion of particles in a wave can either be perpendicular to the wave direction (transverse) or parallel to it (longitudinal).

4

Transverse Waves• Transverse waves has propagations in both the

horizontal & vertical directions but perpendicular to wave direction– ex. Light (E-M) waves

• Longitudinal waves have propagation in one direction only (Unidirectional). Particles vibrate parallel to wave direction– ex. Sound waves

5

Longitudinal Waves

6

Sound waves are longitudinal waves: pressure waves

(Rarefaction)