This document summarizes key concepts about wave properties. It defines waves as a movement of energy through space and time that requires a medium to travel through. It describes the characteristics of frequency, period, speed, wavelength, and how they are related. It differentiates between transverse and longitudinal waves, and provides examples of each. It also explains several phenomena waves can undergo, including interference, reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, and standing waves.

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

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

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
Refraction  bending of a
wave when entering a
new medium
Diffraction  Bending of
a wave around a barrier
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 Harmonic  standing waves that
sound good together.
Antinodes  points # of harmonic is # of antinodes.
where the medium has 1st Harmonic  lowest frequency
maximum displacement that will fit in pipe or on a string