Characteristics of Waves

Wave Properties
 Transverse Waves

 Shaped like a SINE curve

 S on its side

 Called:
SINE WAVE
Parts of a Wave

 Highest part of
the wave
 Crest

 Lowest part of
the wave
 Trough
 Amplitude (A)
 The greatest distance
that a particle moves

 ½ vertical distance
between a crest & a
trough

 The bigger the wave,

the greater the
amplitude & the more
energy it carries
Longitudinal Waves

 Compressions
 Crowded areas

 Rarefactions
 Stretched out areas
Longitudinal Waves & Sine Waves

 Compressions = crests
 Rarefactions = troughs
Wavelength (λ)

 Distance from crest

to crest (meters)
 Trough to trough

 Distance from
compression to
compression
 Rarefaction to
rarefaction
Frequency (f)

 # of wavelengths that
pass a point in a
second

 Unit is the Hertz (Hz)

 # waves / sec
 1 hertz = 1 vibration
 Frequency & Pitch
Shorter wavelengths = higher frequency = higher pitch (high note)

Do you think these are loud or soft?

Longer wavelengths = lower frequency = lower pitch (low note)

Do you think these are loud or soft?

 Wave Velocity (v)
 Wave speed & direction
 Rate the wave travels

 v=fxλ
Medium affects wave speed

 BUT…

 In any given
medium the speed
of a wave is
constant
 The Doppler Effect
 What sound does a
train make when it
passes you?

 Pitch is determined by
the frequency

 Frequency changes
High frequency=High pitch
when the source is
moving Low frequency=Low pitch