Students will learn about different types of waves including transverse waves, longitudinal waves, and electromagnetic waves. The key properties of waves that will be discussed are amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed. Waves transfer energy through a medium and can be described by their height, how often they occur, and how fast they travel.

1. Wave PropertiesStudents will be able toExplain wave structureContrast transverse and longitudinal wavesDescribe properties of a wave

2. What are Waves?Wave A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another5

3. What Carries Waves?Medium The material through which a wave travelsExamples: Liquids, Air, Solids…Mechanical Waves Waves that need a mediumExamples: Water and SoundElectromagnetic Waves Waves that do not need a medium Light6

4. Transfer of EnergyMechanical waves travel in a medium but do not move medium6

5. What Causes WavesA source of energy causes medium to vibrate7

6. Types of wavesTransverse waves (across) High point – Crest Low point – Trough8

7. Types of wavesLongitudinal Waves Move medium in to direction of motion Compression = Come togetherRarefactions = Spread out9

8. Representing Waves10

9. Three Properties of WavesWaves can have different amounts of energy1. Waves can be tall or short Amplitude2. Waves can occur often or rarely Frequency3. Waves can move fast or slow Speed11

10. AmplitudeMaximum distance that the particles of the medium carrying the wave move away from the rest position12

11. WavelengthThe distance between two corresponding parts of a wave13

12. FrequencyNumber of waves that pass a given point in a certain period of timeHertz # of waves / second13

13. SpeedLightningLightSound RumbleWhy? Light travels faster so it reaches you first Sound travels slower so comes later14

14. SpeedFormula Speed = Wavelength x Frequency Others can be used Frequency = Speed / Wavelength Wavelength = Speed / Frequency14

15. Math15

16. HomeworkDraw and label a transverse and alongitudinal wave.