Wave Properties

1. Wave Properties
Waves
 A movement of energy in space and time
Medium  substance the wave travels through
Frequency (f)  How frequently a wave comes
# of waves / second = 1 / sec = Hertz
Period (T)  How long each wave takes
seconds / wave = seconds
These are inversely related: f = 1 / T
Speed of a wave Velocity = frequency * wavelength
v = f * λ

2. 2 Types of Waves
• Transverse
 Medium moves
perpendicular to
the wave
Ex. Radio, Sunlight, Liquids
Crest
Trough
Amplitude
Wavelength
Direction of wave
Direction of medium

3. • Longitudinal
 Medium moves
parallel to
the wave
Ex. Sound, Water
Compression
Rarefaction
Direction of wave
Direction of medium

4. Interference
• Constructive  the
amplitudes of waves
passing through each
other add up
• Destructive  the
amplitudes of waves
passing through each other
cancel out

5. Reflection  bouncing
of a wave off a barrier
Diffraction  Bending of
a wave around a barrier
Refraction  bending of a
wave when entering a
new medium
Polarization  filtering
part of a wave out

6. Standing Wave
A wave which looks like
it is standing still.
The reflected wave hits
at the same point as the
incident wave.
Nodes  points where
the medium doesn’t
move
Antinodes  points
where the medium has
maximum displacement
Harmonic  standing waves that
sound good together.
# of harmonic is # of antinodes.
1st Harmonic  lowest frequency
that will fit in pipe or on a string