Waves Teacher notes Lesson doc

1. Draw and explain the difference between a transverse wave and a

longitudinal wave.

2. What do waves transfer?

3. Do all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed?

4. What are some examples of mediums waves can use to travel?

5. List the properties of a wave and a brief description.

6. Find the period and frequency of the wave using the wave series below.

Period = Frequency=
Wavelength:

Frequency:

Amplitude:

Equations
Teacher notes Waves

Longitudinal vs. transverse

 Waves transfer Energy from place to place

 How? Mediums are solid, liquid and gas also, empty space (vacuum)

 What is Wave speed? All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light.
Speed of light = 3.0 x10 8 m/s
 All light travels at the same speed (speed of light)

Wave properties:
Wavelength: length of a complete wave from crest to crest. Also called a cycle.
 Measured in meters, nanometers
 Symbol (λ)
Amplitude: height of a wave from the baseline or point of equilibrium on a graph.
Frequency: How often a complete wave occurs in 1 second.
 Measured in units Hertz (Hz)
 Symbol (f)
Period: amount of time for one complete cycle (wave) to occur in seconds.
 Measured in seconds
 Symbol (T)
Wave cycle

Wave series

Period = T frequency = 1/T

Wavelength:
 Identifies a wave on the electromagnetic spectrum
 On the visible spectrum, (color)
700 nm – 400 nm

ROYGBV in order from longest to shortest wavelength

 Wavelength

 Wavelength (λ) is inversely proportional to frequency (f) (they are

opposites)
 Wavelength (λ) is also inversely proportional to Energy (E) (they are
opposites)

Frequency: describes the number of waves (cycles) that occur in 1 second.

 Measured in Hertz (Hz)
 Frequency (f) is directly proportional to Energy (E)
 Frequency (f) is inversely proportional to wavelength (λ)
Amplitude: the height of a wave on a graph measures the intensity of light
 Amplitude determines luminosity (brightness)
 High amplitude = Bright light
 Low amplitude = dim light