17.2 - Waves
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Mechanical Waves: Understanding Transverse, Longitudinal, and Surface Waves, Exams of Particle Physics
An in-depth exploration of mechanical waves, discussing their creation, the role of the medium, and the three types: transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves. Learn about their properties, examples, and the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.
Typology: Exams
2021/2022
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17.2 - Waves
Mechanical Waves A disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another.
Medium The material through which a wave travels.
- Medium can be any three states of matter: solid, liquid or gas
Waves
Transverse Waves A wave that causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the direction in which the waves travels.
Crest The highest point of the wave above the rest position.
Trough The lowest point of the wave below the rest position.
Transverse Waves
Transverse Waves Examples:
- Shaking the end of a rope up and down
- Shaking one end of the blanket up and down
- Wave in the ball park
Transverse Waves
Longitudinal Waves Examples:
- Waves produced by earthquakes
- Sound Waves
- Ultrasound
Longitudinal Waves
Surface Waves A wave that travels along a surface separating two media.
- A surface wave transports an object in a circular motion.
Surface Waves
Surface Waves Examples:
- Ocean Waves
- A fishing bobber floating
Surface Waves
Period Motion Any motion that repeats at regular time intervals
Frequency Number of complete cycles in a given time
Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz)
Properties of Mechanical Waves
How to find wavelength Distance
• Measure from any identical two successive points
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 (m)
Wavelength
- Measure from any identical two successive points
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
30m – 10m = 20m
(m)
What is the wavelength
Key point Increasing the frequency of a wave decreases its wavelength.
Properties of Mechanical Waves
Key Point
Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional meaning when one goes up, the other goes down.
Wave Speed
Calculating Wave Speed
Speed = wavelength x frequency
- Speed (m/s)
- Wavelength (m – meters)
- Frequency = (Hz – Hertz)
Wave Speed
Example # A wave on a rope has a wavelength of 1.8 meters and a frequency of 2.3 Hz. What is the speed of the wave?
Wave Speed Examples
S = W x F S = 1.8 m x 2.3 Hz
S = 4.14 m/s