WAVES

A wave is a disturbance that moves through matter or space. Waves transfer energy, not matter.

•Mechanical Waves can travel only through matter. Example: Sound waves can travel through air or water, but not through empty space.•Electromagnetic Waves can travel through both matter and space. Examples: radio waves, gamma rays, microwaves, X-rays, light, etc.

A transverse wave causes particles to move at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels.

High points = CrestsLow points = Troughs

Also called compressional waves. A longitudinal wave causes particles in matter to move along the same direction in which a wave travels.Squeezed parts= compressionsSpread out parts = rarefactions

Wavelength is the distance between one point on a wave and the nearest point moving in the same speed and direction . The wavelength of a transverse wave is the distance between two adjacent crests or troughs.The wavelength of a longitudinal wave is the distance between two adjacent compressions or rarefactions.

The frequency of a wave is the number of wavelengths that pass by a point each second. Frequency is measured in units of hertz (Hz) .

Amplitude of a wave is the maximum distance that matter moves as the wave passes.

Reflect (bounce off)

Refract (bend)

Diffract (bounce around an obstacle)