Waves
A wave is a disturbance
A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another.
Forces and Waves
Rope wave
Apply one force to the rope by flicking it upward and an opposite force when you snap it back down.
Sends a wave through the rope.
Both forces-the one that moves the rope up and the one that moves the rope down-are required to start a wave.
Water wave
Calm pool of water and dip your finger into it.
The water rushed back after you remove your finger.
The force of your finger and the force of the water rushing back send waves across the pool
Earthquake wave
An earthquake is a sudden release of energy that has built up in rock as a result fo the surrounding rock pushing and pullling it.
When these two forces cause the rock to suddenly break away and move, the energy is transferred as a wave through the ground.
Materials and Waves
A medium is any substance that a wave moves through. eg. water is the medium for an ocean wave
Waves that transfer energy though matter are known as mechanical waves. eg. sound waves
Energy and waves
Energy travels in a wave. In the case of an earthquake, it is kinetic energy that is transferred.
Waves can be classified by how they move
Transverse Waves
In a transverse wave, the direction in which the wave travels is perpendicular, or at right angles, to the direction of the disturbance. eg. water waves
Longitudinal Waves
In a longitudinal wave, the wave travels in the same direcction as the disturbance. eg. sound waves
Waves have amplitude, wavelength, and frequency
Measuring Wave Properties
A crest is the highest point, or peak, of a wave.
A trough is the lowest point, or valley, of a wave
Amplitude for a transverse wave is the distance between a line through the middle of a wave and a crest, or trough.