17.1 Mechanical Waves
In a wave pool, the waves carry energy across the
pool. You can see the effects of a wave's energy
when the wave lifts people in the water.
17.1 Mechanical Waves
What Are Mechanical Waves?
A mechanical wave is a disturbance in matter that
carries________________from one place to another
• The material through which a wave travels is called
a _______________
• Solids, liquids, & gases can act as mediums
• A mechanical wave is created when an energy
source causes vibration to travel through a medium.
•Mechanical waves are classified by the way they
_____________through a medium
– The 3 main types of mechanical waves are
transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves.
17.1 Mechanical Waves
Transverse Waves
• The highest point of a wave is
the ______________.
• The lowest point of a wave is
the ______________.
• A single point on the rope
vibrates up and down between a
crest and trough.
• The wave carries energy from
left to right,____________to the
up-and-down motion of the rope.
17.1 Mechanical Waves
Longitudinal Waves
In a spring toy, the wave carries energy along the spring.
• Vibration of medium is
parallel to the direction
the wave travels
• Where the particles in a
medium are spaced
close together is a
__________________.
• Where the particles in a
medium are spread out
is a_______________.
Push
Pull
Compression
Rarefaction
Compression
Rest
position
Direction
of wave
17.1 Mechanical Waves
Surface Waves
• __________waves are the most
familiar kind of surface waves.
• A surface wave is a wave that
travels along a surface separating
_______________.
17.1 Mechanical Waves
As the ocean wave moves to the
right, the bobber moves in a circle,
returning to its original position
The bobber helps to visualize the
motion of the medium.
• When a crest passes the bobber, the
bobber moves up. When a trough
passes, the bobber moves down.
• The bobber also is pushed back and
forth by the surface wave, like the
motion of a longitudinal wave.
• The two motions combine, and the
bobber moves in a circle.
Wave direction
17.1 Mechanical Waves
Assessment Questions
1. A mechanical wave carries energy from one place
to another through the
a.
b.
c.
d.
physical transfer of matter.
interaction of electromagnetic fields.
phase changes of a medium.
vibration of a medium.
ANS:
D
17.1 Mechanical Waves
Assessment Questions
2. In what type of wave is the vibration of the
medium parallel to the direction in which the wave
travels?
a.
b.
c.
d.
transverse wave
longitudinal wave
surface wave
Rarefaction
ANS:
B