17.1 Mechanical Waves · What Are Mechanical Waves? A mechanical wave is a disturbance in matter...
Transcript of 17.1 Mechanical Waves · What Are Mechanical Waves? A mechanical wave is a disturbance in matter...
17.1 Mechanical Waves
What Are Mechanical Waves?
A mechanical wave is a disturbance in
matter that carries energy from one
place to another.
The material in which a wave travels
through is called a medium.
A mechanical wave is created when a
source of energy causes a vibration to
travel through a medium.
Types of Mechanical Waves…
Transverse waves
Longitudinal waves
Surface waves
Transverse Wave
The highest point above the rest position is
the crest.
The lowest point below the rest position is the
trough.
A transverse wave is a wave that
causes the medium to vibrate at right
angles in the direction that the wave
travels.
Transverse Wave
Longitudinal Wave
An area where the particles are spaced close
together is called a compression.
An area where the particles in a medium are
spread out is called a rarefaction.
A longitudinal wave is a wave in which
the vibration of the medium is parallel to
the direction the wave travels.
Longitudinal Wave
Surface Waves
A surface wave is a wave that travels
along the surface separating two media.
Example- An ocean surface wave
separates the air and the ocean.
Surface Waves
A Quick Review-White Boards 1. Draw a transverse wave and put a star
where the crest is, and a smiley face where
the trough is.
2. Draw a longitudinal wave and label an area
of compression and rarefaction.
3. The material in which the mechanical wave
travels through is called the ____________.
4. The type of wave that separates two media
is called a __________________.
5. The type of wave whose motion moves in a
parallel direction________________.
17.2 Properties of Mechanical
Waves
Period
The time it takes for a complete wave
to pass one point in space
For an ocean wave, the period is the
time between two crests.
T = 1 / f
Frequency
The number of waves that pass
through a given point in one unit of
time
Symbol: f
Measured in: Hertz (Hz)
The higher the frequency
The shorter the wavelength
Wavelength
The distance between one wave and
the next
Amplitude The size of the waves disturbance
The more energy a wave has, the
greater its amplitude.
Copy the Wave Diagram
amplitude
Medium