Properties of Waves

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Properties of Waves

• 8.1

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Mechanical Waves

• Require a medium to transfer energy from one
  place to another.

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Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

• Wave pulsesingle disturbance that travels
  through the medium
• Periodic waveif the source vibrates repeatedly
• Transverse wavethe particles in the medium move
  in a direction perpendicular to the direction of
  wave motion
• Longitudinal wavethe particles in the medium
  move in the same direction (or parallel to) the
  wave

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Amplitude

• The distance from the equilibrium position to the
  crest of a wave

amplitude
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Wavelength

• ?the shortest distance between two points of a
  wave where the pattern repeats

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Frequency and Period

• Frequency (f)the number of waves (cycles) per
  unit time that pass a point in the mediumHz
  (hertz)
• Period (T)the amount of time it takes for one
  complete wavelength to pass a point in the medium

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Speed

• Velocity distance traveled (wavelength) divided
  by time interval
• Velocity wavelength X frequency

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Sound

• Longitudinal mechanical wave that causes pressure
  variations in a medium
• Compressiona region of increased air density and
  pressure
• Rarefactiona region of decreased air density and
  pressure
• When you hear sound, energy is transferred from a
  source to your ears, which causes your eardrum to
  vibrate.