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Wave

A wave is a repeating disturbance that transfers energy without transporting matter, created by a source of energy causing a vibration. Waves are categorized into mechanical waves (requiring a medium), electromagnetic waves (not requiring a medium), surface waves (traveling along interfaces), and matter waves (related to quantum mechanics). Understanding waves is essential for various daily activities, such as communication and perception.

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14 views18 pages

Wave

A wave is a repeating disturbance that transfers energy without transporting matter, created by a source of energy causing a vibration. Waves are categorized into mechanical waves (requiring a medium), electromagnetic waves (not requiring a medium), surface waves (traveling along interfaces), and matter waves (related to quantum mechanics). Understanding waves is essential for various daily activities, such as communication and perception.

Uploaded by

Amente Rare
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a Wave?

A wave is a repeating disturbance or vibration that transfers or


moves energy from place to place.
 Waves are created when a source of energy (force) causes a
vibration.
 A vibration is a repeated back-and-forth OR up-and-
down motion.
Some waves can carry energy through empty space while others
transmit energy through a medium all without transporting
matter.
Waves can be broadly categorized into several types based on
their characteristics. Here are the main types:
1. Mechanical Waves
These require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through.
They can be further divided into:
 Transverse Waves: The particles of the medium move
perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
Example: Waves on a string or surface water waves.
 Longitudinal Waves: The particles of the medium move
parallel to the direction of the wave.
Example: Sound waves traveling through air.
2. Electromagnetic Waves
These do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.
They consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
Example: Light waves, radio waves, X-rays.
3. Surface Waves
These travel along the interface between two different mediums,
like air and water.
Example: Ocean waves that roll onto the shore.
4. Matter Waves
These are associated with quantum mechanics and describe the
wave-like behavior of particles.
Example: Electron waves in atoms.
Summary
 Mechanical Waves: Require a medium (e.g., sound waves,
waves on a string).
 Electromagnetic Waves: Do not require a medium (e.g., light
waves).
 Surface Waves: Travel along interfaces (e.g., water waves).
 Matter Waves: Related to quantum particles (e.g., waves
describing electrons).
We depend on waves for nearly everything we do from
talking, being able to see things with our eyes, listening to music
and using a cell phone all require waves transmitting energy.
 There are many different kinds of waves, but the one
thing waves all have in common is they
transmit energy and not matter.
 Waves are created when a
source of energy (force) causes
a vibration.
 A vibration is a repeated back-
and-forth OR up-and-down m
otion.
 Some waves can carry energy
through empty space while
others transmit
energy through
a medium all without
transporting matter.
What is a Medium?
A medium is a material through which waves can travel. It can be a
solid, liquid, or gas.

Types of Waves
Transverse Compressional/
Longitudinal
Waves Waves
Vibrates up Vibrates back
and and
forth parallel t
down perpe o the motion
ndicular to the energy
the motion travels.
the energy
travels.
Particles move
parallel to the
Particles direction the
move wave travels.
perpendicular
to the
direction the
waves
Video Guide:
travels.
1. What is the difference between light waves and
sound waves?
2. What happens to the duck?
3. What are Hertz?

Topic Tips
 All waves transmit energy NOT matter.
 Some waves require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas particles) to transmit energy. Some waves do not.
 There are two types of waves transverse waves and compressional/longitudinal waves. Each move the particles of the medium
in different ways (parallel or perpendicular).

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