3/30/09
Post date: Mar 28, 2009 8:16:29 PM
Bell Ringer: What is a wave?
Pass back finals, view final grades
Wave - a disturbance that carries energy through matter or space
Examples
Water waves
Spring movements
"The Wave"
Sound waves
Light waves
Most travel through a medium
Medium - a physical environment in which phenomena occur. The "stuff" that a wave moves through. For example, sound waves travel through air, water waves through water, etc.
Mechanical waves - waves that require a medium
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium
These are light waves, both visible and invisible light.
Includes radio waves, x-rays
Mechanical waves
Wave and Particle Motion Lab - due Tuesday
Transverse waves - particle move perpendicular to wave
Longitudinal waves - particles move parallel to wave
Parts of a wave
Crest - highest point on a wave
Trough - lowest point on a wave
Wavelength - length from one point on a wave to the next identical point
Amplitude - distance from resting position to a crest or trough (height of a wave)
Compression - part of a longitudinal wave where particles are squeezed together
Rarefaction - part of a longitudinal wave where particles are stretched apart
PowerPoint Notes for 15-1