Wave PropertiesWaves 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 Types of Waves• Transverse

Medium moves perpendicular to the wave

Ex. Radio, Sunlight, Liquids

Crest

Trough

Amplitude

Wavelength

Direction of wave

Direction of medium

• Longitudinal Medium moves parallel to the wave

Ex. Sound, Water

Compression

Rarefaction

Direction of wave Direction of medium

Interference

• Constructive the amplitudes of waves passing through each other add up

• Destructive the amplitudes of waves passing through each other cancel out

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

Standing WaveA 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