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Energy can be
transferred by either
1) Matter(mass)
ex) baseball,
electron
Waves
Energy is transferred
by
2) Waves
ex) sound, radio,
water, light
Waves
Waves transfer energy not mass.
EM waves do
not need a
medium.
Ex) radio, TV,
microwave,
X-rays, visible
light
4 types of Mechanical Waves
1. Transverse Waves
2. Longitudinal Waves
3. Torsional Waves - twist
4. Surface Waves – water at the ocean
Transverse Waves
1. Transverse Waves
The particles in the medium vibrate
perpendicular to the direction the waves
are traveling.
Transverse Waves
Examples – water waves, slinky waves,
Wave characteristics –
1) wavelength = λ
the horizontal distance between
corresponding points on consecutive
waves. λ
HITT- What two sets of points are
in one wavelength apart ?
B G
C H
A D F
E
Ans - A and F C and H B and G
B G
C H
A D F
E
Transverse Waves
Wave characteristics –
2) amplitude = A
the distance from the rest position to
the maximum displacement.
A
Transverse Waves
Examples – water waves, slinky waves,
Wave characteristics –
3) crest = maximum displacement
UP
4) trough = maximum displacement
DOWN
Amplitude vs Energy
A
In Phase
Two points in a wave are said to be in
phase if they have
a) the same amplitude and
b) are moving in the same
direction(either both up or both down)
HITT - What two sets of points are in phase ?
B G
C F
A D H
E
Ans – B and F D and H
B G
C F
A D H
E
Mechanical Waves
2. Longitudinal Waves
The particles move parallel to the
direction the waves are traveling.
Longitudinal Waves
Compressions – regions where the
medium is more dense – the material
is packed tightly.
Rarefactions – regions where the
medium is less dense – the material
is spread out.
Describing Waves
Frequency, f
is the number of wavelengths that
pass a given point each second.
V=fλ
Units 1/s x m or m/s
Speed of waves
The speed depends upon the
medium in which the wave travels
regardless of the frequency or
wavelength or amplitude.
and since f1 = f2
Then v /λ = v /λ
1 1 2 2
Interference
What happens to
pulses when
they hit each
other?
Waves are not
changed by
passing through
each other.
Interference
When we
superimpose
one pulse on top
of another it is
called
superposition.
Interference
Constructive
interference
a crest meets
a crest or
Interference
Constructive
interference
a trough
meets a
trough
Interference
Destructive
interference
a crest meets
a trough