SUBJECT : SCIENCE 7 (3rd GP) FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT #5

TYPE OF ACTIVITY : CONCEPT NOTES

ACTIVITY TITLE : DEFINITION, TYPES, CHARACTERISTICS AND CLASSIFICATION OF WAVES
LEARNING TARGET/S : I can define and classify waves and infer that it carries energy.
REFERENCE/S : Breaking through Science 7 by Corazon C. Felicerta pp. 193 – 200
Waves are disturbances that carry energy through matter or space while energy is the ability to
do work or cause change. If the waves carry energy, then waves can also do work. Waves are
vibrations that propagate through a medium or vacuum and carry energy. Gases (air), liquids (water)
and solids (rope and spring) all act as media or medium. A single unrepeated disturbance is called as
Wave Pulse while a succession of periodic disturbances is called as Wave Train.

Waves have different characteristics namely:

1. Wavelength (λ) – the distance between two successive identical parts (either two consecutive crests
and troughs or two consecutive compressions or rarefactions) of a wave.
2. Amplitude (A) – the greatest displacement of the particles of medium from the rest position. It
measures the energy the wave carries.
3. Period (T) – the time taken for one complete cycle of the wave to pass a reference point. It is the
measure of time and expressed in terms of seconds.
4. Frequency (f) – the number of waves produce per unit of time. The unit of measurement for
frequency of a wave is Hertz (Hz).
5. Wave Speed (v) or Wave Velocity (v) (if the direction is specified) – tells how far a wave moves in a
given amount of time.
On the other hand, waves are classified according to their Nature and Direction of particles of the
medium relative to the direction of wave propagation. The classification of waves are as follows:
A. ACCORDING TO NATURE OF WAVE
1. Mechanical Waves – require a medium for transmission. Examples are Sound waves and
Water waves.
2. Electromagnetic or EM Waves – can travel through an empty space or vacuum. All
electromagnetic waves propagate in a vacuum with a speed of 3 x 108 m/s. There are several types of
electromagnetic wave, classified according to their frequencies or wavelengths. Electromagnetic
spectrum describes the entire range of electromagnetic waves arranged in order by their frequencies.
B. ACCORDING TO DIRECTION OF WAVE
1. Transverse Waves – particles of the medium move back and forth perpendicular to the
direction of the wave. When you move the rope up and down, there are low and high points. The
highest points of a wave are called crests while the lowest points are called troughs. Example of
transverse wave are the waves you form on a rope, water waves and electromagnetic waves.
2. Longitudinal Waves – particles of the medium move parallel to the wave direction. The parts
in the spring where the coils are close together are called compressions. The parts where the coils are
spread out are called rarefaction. Example of longitudinal wave is sound wave.

Apply what you know: Identify the concept being defined in each of the following number. Write
your answers on the space provided (PS: 4 pts)
______________1. – Disturbances that carries energy and can do work.
______________2. – Classification of wave wherein the particles move parallel to the medium.
______________3. – Classification of wave wherein the particles move perpendicular to the medium.
______________4. – Type of wave with single unrepeated disturbance.
Essential Question: In 1 short sentence only, answer the question below. (PS: 1 pt)
* How can knowledge about wave help you understand and explain natural phenomena?

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