WAVES AND TYPES

A wave is a transfer of energy through a medium from one point to another, so it´s the
disturbance. Some examples of waves include; water waves, sound waves, and radio
waves. Waves come in two different forms; a Transverse Wave which moves the medium
perpendicular to the wave motion, and a Longitudinal Wave, which moves the medium
parallel to the wave motion.

The equation for calculating the velocity of a wave is: Velocity = Wavelength x
Frequency
(v = λ x f) This equation works for any wave form, water, sound, or radio waves.
EXAMPLE: A wave as a Wavelength of 5 meters and a Frequency of 10 Hz. What is its
velocity? V = 5 x 10, V= 50 meters per second
The Amplitude is the measurement of maximum displacement. The Wavelength is the
distance of one complete wave cycle. For example; the distance from crest to crest or
trough to trough would be 1 wavelength.
TRANSVERSAL WAVE: Parts:
1. Crest: Highest point of the wave
2. Trough: Lowest point of the wave

LONGITUDINAL OR COMPRESSIONAL WAVE: Parts:

1. Compression: where the particles are close together
2. Rarefaction: where the particles are apart.

PARTS OR PROPERTIES OF A WAVE

1. Amplitude: How long the wave moves from the rest position.
- When the amplitude is doubled, the energy is quadrupled.
- When the energy is 10 times greater, the energy is 100 times greater
 2. Frequency: the more energy in the wave.
10 waves per 1 second: 10Hz
100 waves per 1 second: 100Hz
3. Wave speed: Wavelength (meters) * frequency (Hz)
4. Wavelength

CHANGING THE WAVE’S DIRECTION

Reflection: is the change in direction of a wavefront at
an interface between two different media so that the wavefront
returns into the medium from which it originated. Common
examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves.
The law of reflection says that for specular reflection (for
example at a mirror) the angle at which the wave is incident
on the surface equals the angle at which it is reflected.
In the diagram, a light ray PO strikes a vertical mirror at point O,
and the reflected ray is OQ. By projecting an imaginary line
through point O perpendicular to the mirror, known as
the normal, we can measure the angle of incidence, θi and the angle of reflection, θr.
The law of reflection states that θi = θr, or in
other words, the angle of incidence equals
the angle of reflection.

Refraction: is the bending of light (it also

happens with sound, water and other waves)
as it passes from one transparent substance
into another. This bending by refraction
makes it possible for us to have lenses,
magnifying glasses, prisms and rainbows.
Even our eyes depend upon this bending of
light. Without refraction, we wouldn’t be able
to focus light onto our retina.

Diffraction: is the slight bending of

light as it passes around the edge of
an object. The amount of bending
depends on the relative size of the
wavelength of light to the size of the
opening. If the opening is much
larger than the light's wavelength,
the bending will be almost
unnoticeable. However, if the two are closer in size or equal, the amount of bending is
considerable, and easily seen with the naked eye. If water waves were incident upon a
float residing on the water surface, the float would bounce up and down in response to the
incident waves, producing waves of its own. As these waves spread outward in all
directions from the float, they interact with other water waves. If the crests of two waves
combine, an amplified wave is produced.