WAVESEssential Questions:

What is a wave? How do waves travel? What are the types of

waves? What are the properties

of waves? What are 4 types of

wave interactions?

Day 1

The Nature of Waves

What are Waves?

What is a WAVE? A wave is any disturbance that

transfers energy through matter.

Waves only carry energy, not matter! Once the wave has moved, the

disturbance is gone.

The energy carried by ocean wavescan break rocks.

How do waves travel?A wave must have MATTER to travel through.

The matter through which a wave travels is called a MEDIUM

Mechanical Waves

Examples of Mechanical Waves:soundairwaterropesearthquakestsunami waves

Mechanical Waves need a medium to travel through.

Mechanical Waves can be either Transverse or Longitudinal

Electromagnetic Waves

Examples of Electromagnetic Waves:x-raysradio wavesinfrared radiationmicrowavesvisible light

Electromagnetic Waves do NOT need a medium to travel through.

Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Waves are ALWAYS transverse waves.

Transverse Waves

waves in which the particles vibrate in an up and down motion

ex: light waves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHcse1jJAto&feature=player_detailpage#t=8

Transverse Wave

Longitudinal Waveswaves in which the particles vibrate back and forth along the path that the wave moves.

ex: sound waves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aguCWnbRETU&feature=player_embedded

Longitudinal Waves

Carry energy along the wave

Day 2

Properties of Waves

Properties of Waves:

AmplitudeWave LengthFrequencyWave Speed

Amplitude wave height larger amplitude = more energy

Wavelength distance between 2 crests or troughs shorter wave length = more energy

Frequency (Hertz / Hz) the number of waves produced in a given

amount of time higher frequency = more energy

Wave Speed speed at which waves travel through a

medium

Properties of a wave

Day 3

WAVE INTERACTIONS

Reflection Waves reflect after hitting a barrier. all waves can be reflected. a wave can also be transmitted through a

substance.

Reflection – happens when a wave bounces back after hitting a barrier.

RefractionRefraction – is the bending of a wave as the wave passes from one medium to another at an angle.

DiffractionThe bending of waves around a barrier or through an opening is known as diffraction.

InterferenceInterference happens when waves overlap

Constructive: amplitude increases

Destructive: amplitude decreases

ResonanceResonance – vibration produced in one object that is caused by the vibration produced in another

properties

• _________• _________• _________• _________

can undergo

• ________• reflection• ________• interferen

ce

types

are always

can be either

do _____need a __________

need a __________

examples

examples

• x-rays• radio

waves• infrared

radiation• microwav

es• visible

light

• sound• air• water• ropes• earthquake

s• tsunami

waves

properties

• amplitude• wave

length• frequency• wave

speed

can undergo

• refraction• reflection• diffractio

n• interferen

ce

types

Electromagnetic Waves

Mechanical Waves

are always

can be either

do NOT need a medium

need a medium

Transverse

Longitudinal

examples

examples

• x-rays• radio

waves• infrared

radiation• microwav

es• visible

light

• sound• air• water• ropes• earthquake

s• tsunami

waves