Anatomy of a

wave
In a periodic wave, one pulse
follows another in regular
succession.
Parts of a transverse wave
Crest
-> the highest point of a wave

Trough
-> the lowest point of a wave
Parts of a longitudinal wave

Compression
->particles are close together

Rarefaction
-> particles are spread apart
 Wave
Properties
Amplitude

-> is the maximum displacement of

a vibrating particle

A wave with high amplitude has

more energy than a wave with
low amplitude.
Wavelength
-> refers to the distance
between any successive
identical parts of the wave
It can be the distance between
two crest or two troughs of a
transverse wave.
Frequency
-> number of waves that pass a
particular point every one second

Frequency is measured in units

called hertz.
1 wave per second = 1 hertz
It is also useful to consider the
period of a wave, which is the
time required for one complete
wave to pass a given point.

period = ___1____
frequency
The higher the frequency,
the more energy is the
wave.
Wave speed
-> is the distance travelled by
the wave per second
Speed= frequency x wavelength
In this equation, v is the symbol
for wave speed and f is the
symbol for frequency.
The speed of a wave depends
on the medium in which the
wave travels.
How do waves
propagate?
Sound travels in the form of waves.

If you hit the surface of a drum

with a stick, the surface of the drum
starts to vibrate creating its
characteristic sound.
When you talk, the vocal cords in your
throat vibrate and create a sound that
eventually travels through the air and
reaches your ears.
Sound energy makes your
eardrums vibrate.
Vibration is a back and forth or up
and down movement of an object.

Transfer of energy from a

vibrating source is a wave.
Sound cannot be transmitted
without a medium.
A medium is any kind of matter
through which a wave can travel.

Sound is transmitted oftentimes

through air.

In ocean waves, water is the

medium.
Waves that require a medium for
their transmission are
called . . . . .

1. Mechanical Waves
Mechanical waves are produced
when a source of energy causes a
medium to vibrate.
2. Electromagnetic Waves
Unlike sound, light can travel
through an empty space or a
vacuum.
Example : The energy of the sun.

Waves that can travel without a

medium.
Microwaves and X-rays