Wave

Mechanical waves are produced when a source of energy causes a medium (gases, liquids, solids) to vibrate (repeated back and forth or up and down motion)

2 types of mechanical waves: transverse ( waves move across at a right angle) (rope) or longitudinal (compressions)(slinky)

Properties of waves

• Amplitude:maximum distance particles move away from rest position
• Wavelength:distance b/w parts of wave
• Frequency:# of waves that pass a given point over certain time.

Speed=wavelength x frequency

Sound waves

Speed of sound depends on elasticity, density, and temperature of the medium. More elasticity=faster, Denser=slower, higher temp=faster

Electromagnetic wave

Electromagnetic waves consist of vibrating electrical and magnetic fields that move through space at the speed of light. Fields are at right angles.

Electromagnetic spectrum

Radio waves longest wavelengths, lowest frequency
Visible light ( shortest wavelength of visible light = violet) shorter wavelengths and higher frequency than infrared Rays