TYPES OF WAVES
A wave is the process by which a disturbance at one point in space is
spread through an elastic medium to another point further from the
source.
Waves transport energy without transporting matter.
Waves are formed because of the individual motion of the particles that
make up the medium through which the wave propagates through.
Waves can be classified, as shown below.
5 identify that mechanical waves require a medium for propagation while electromagnetic
waves do not
WAVES
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
………………………….................
Do NOT require medium for
transmission.
ALL TRANSVERSE
……………………….………….
Alternating electric and magnetic
fields operating perpendicularly
to the direction of wave travel.
MECHANICAL WAVES
………………………………
Do require a medium for
transmission.
TRANSVERSE WAVES
...................................................
Particles of medium vibrate
perpendicular to the direction
of the wave propagation.
LONGITUDINAL WAVES
...................................................
Particles of medium vibrate
in the same direction of the
wave propagation.
EXAMPLES
...................................................
Water and earthquake
waves and waves in ropes and
springs.
EXAMPLES
...................................................
Sound waves and
waves in springs.
We can use diagrams to demonstrate the differences between these
waves.
8 present diagrammatic information about transverse and longitudinal waves, direction of
particle movement and the direction of propagation
TRANSVERSE WAVE
LONGITUDINAL WAVE
6 describe the relationship between particle motion and the direction of energy
propagation in transverse and longitudinal waves
The direction of energy flow is in the
same direction that the wave
propagates through a medium. This
motion is PERPENDICULAR to the
oscillation of the particles of the
medium that the wave moves through.
The direction of energy flow is in the
same direction that the wave
propagates through a medium. This
motion is PARALLEL to the oscillation
of the particles of the medium that
the wave moves through.