Waves Objective: I will understand the difference between mechanical waves and
Dec 16, 2015
Waves
Objective: I will understand the difference between mechanical
waves and electromagnetic waves.
What is a wave?
A wave is a moving disturbance that transfers energy through matter or
space.
What causes waves?• Waves are created when a source of energy
causes a medium to vibrate.• A vibration is a repeated back and forth or up
and down motion.
Examples of waves
Water waves light waves
Sound waves microwaves
Radio waves X ray waves
Ultraviolet waves seismic waves
All of these waves can be put into 2 categories:
1. Waves that do not require a medium
2. Waves that require a medium
So what’s a medium?
A medium is something through which a wave travels. (solid, liquid, or gas!)• In a water wave, the medium is the water.• In a sound wave, the medium is the air.• In an earthquake, the medium is the ground.
Does light require a medium?
Well, where does light come from?
If it can travel through NOTHINGNESS, then it doesn’t need a medium
How do mediums affect movement?
• Waves move through different mediums at different rates:
• Solid: a wave moves through a solid medium the fastest
• Liquid: a wave moves through a liquid medium slower than a solid, but faster than a gas
• Gas: a wave moves through a gas medium the slowest
Mediums
• The medium can affect the speed of the wave travelling through it:
• An increase in the temperature of a medium increases the speed.
• An increase in the density of a medium increases the speed.
Why do waves move through different mediums at different rates?
• Particles in a solid are closer together so they can move to each other quicker.
• Particles in a gas are farther apart so the energy takes longer to move from particle to particle.
Mediums
As a wave moves the particles of matter do not move, only the energy is transferred.
Back to our 2 groups1. Electromagnetic waves can transfer energy
through a medium OR through empty space (a vacuum)– Ex. Radio waves, light waves, infrared waves, ultraviolet
waves, x-rays, gamma rays
2. Mechanical Waves are waves that require a medium in order to transfer energy.– Ex. Sound waves, water waves, seismic waves
Review
1. What is a medium?2. Do electromagnetic waves require a
medium?3. Give an example of an electromagnetic wave.4. In which medium do waves move the fastest?5. Do mechanical waves require a medium?6. Give an example of a mechanical wave.
Mechanical wave Electromagnetic wave
Transverse and Longitudinal WavesObjective: I will be able to
differentiate between transverse and longitudinal
waves.
2 different ways to create a wave:
Now lets see these two wave types in action
http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/demos/waves/wavemotion.html
Let’s look back at the wavesNow, when you watch the waves, notice how the particles of the medium are moving in different ways.
Note:• Which direction is the wave moving in?• Which direction are the particles moving in?• Are these two directions the same?http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/demos/waves/wavemotion.html
Waves• Types of waves: Waves are classified according to how they move.
Longitudinal Waves(Compressional waves)
In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium vibrate in the same direction as (or parallel to) the direction that the wave is travelling Examples: slinky, sound
Longitudinal waves (where particles move parallel to the direction of the wave) are something you experience every day in the form of SOUND!
Longitudinal/Compressional Wave
Parts of a Longitudinal/Compression wave:•Compression – space in a medium in which molecules are close together.•Rarefaction- space in a medium where there are fewer or less molecules. The molecules are more spread out.Think of a slinky!!!
Longitudinal/Compressional Wave
Transverse Waves
In a tranverse wave, the particles of the medium vibrate in the opposite direction of (or perpendicular to) the direction that the wave is travelling
Transverse waves (where the particles move perpendicular to the direction of the wave) are also all around you in the form of LIGHT!
Transverse WaveCrest
Trough Equilibrium/Resting Point
Wavelength
Wavelength Amplitude
Review
1. In a ___________ wave the particles of the medium vibrate PERPENDICULAR to the direction the wave is travelling.
2. In a ___________ wave the particles of the medium vibrate Parallel to the direction the wave is travelling.
3. Sound is an example of a ________ wave.4. Light is an example of a ________ wave.
Transverse Wave Longitudinal Wave
Wave Parts
Objective: I will be able to identify the main parts of a wave.
Basic Properties of Waves
AmplitudeWavelengthFrequencySpeed
Wavelength
• A wave travels a certain distance before it starts to repeat. The distance between two corresponding parts of a wave is its wavelength.
• Transverse measure from crest to crest or trough to trough.
• Longitudinal measure from one compression to the next.
Wavelength
The distance between one point on a wave and the exact same point on the next wave
Wavelengths
Transverse Wavelength
Longitudinal Wavelength
AmplitudeThe maximum extent of vibration or the distance from the resting position of the medium to the crest or trough.
Amplitude• The amplitude of a transverse wave is the
maximum distance the medium moves up or down (vibrates) from its rest position.
• The farther the medium moves as it vibrates the larger the amplitude of the resulting waves. The greater the amplitude the greater the amount of energy
Amplitude of a Longitudinal Wave
Frequency
The number of complete waves that pass a given point in a certain amount of timeAKA: the number of vibrations.Measured in Hertz
Crest and trough
The highest/lowest point of a transverse wave
Compression and rarefaction
The squished up or spread out parts of a longitudinal wave
Review
1. Draw a transverse wave and label – Wavelength– Amplitude– Crest – Trough
Review, continued
2. Draw a longitudinal wave and label– Wavelength– Compression– rarefaction
Practice
Practice
Measuring Waves• The speed, wavelength, and frequency of a wave
are related to each other by a mathematical formula.
• Speed = wavelength x frequency• Frequency = speed/wavelength• Wavelength = speed/frequency• Waves in different mediums travel at different
speeds. However, in a given medium and under the same conditions the speed of the wave is constant.
Measuring Waves•Read pages 499-501 in the purple Physical Science Book and do the 3 practice problems in your notebook.
Answers•1. 1.2 m X 4.5 Hz = 5.4m/s•2. 10m X 2.0 Hz = 20 m/s•3. 25.6 m/s / .20 m = 128
hertz
Ways Waves InteractReflectionRefractionDiffractionInterference
ConstructiveDestructive
Standing Waves
• When an object or wave hits a surface through which it cannot pass, it bounces back.
• Angle of incidence• Angle of reflection
Reflection
Examples of reflection
Refraction
• Though all waves change speed when they enter a new medium. Bending occurs when one side of the wave enters the new medium before the other side
REFRACTION•The bending of waves due to a change in speed is called refraction.
Diffraction
Interference
Constructive interference occurs whenever two waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude.
Destructive interference when the amplitudes of two waves combine producing a smaller amplitude.
Resonance
• Most objects have a natural frequency of vibration. Resonance occurs when vibrations traveling through an object match the object’s natural frequency.
• An object that is vibrating at its natural frequency absorbs energy from the objects that vibrate at the same frequency. Occurs in music.