1. Wave Properties & Interactions

2. Wave Properties There are 5 properties of a wave Amplitude Wavelength
Frequency
Wave speed
Period

3. Wave Properties Amplitude
The maximum distance that the particles of a wave vibrate from the rest position.
In other words from the rest position to the crest or from the rest position to the trough.

4. Wave Properties Amplitude
Shows the amount of energy there is in a wave.
The bigger the amplitude the more energy there is.

5. Wave Properties Wavelength
The distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave.
Generally measured from crest to crest on a transverse wave and from compression to compression on a longitudinal wave.

6. Wave Properties Wavelength
The shorter the wavelength the more energy there is.

7. Wave Properties Frequency
The number of wavelengths that pass by a point each second.
Measured in Hertz (Hz)
1Hz=1/s
(1 wave per second)
The higher the frequency the more energy

8. Wave Properties Wave Speed The speed at which a wave travels
Wave Speed (m/s) = Frequency (Hz) x Wavelength (m)
S= λ x f
S – wave speed
λ – wavelength
f – frequency

9. Wave Period
The wave period is the measure of time it takes for the wave cycle to complete. We usually measure the wave period in seconds and represent it with the letter T.
Let's say we determine a wave moves at 60 Hertz; that wave will have 60 cycles per second. When writing formulas, Hertz is usually abbreviated to Hz.

10. Wave Interactions There are 4 types of wave interactions Reflection
Refraction
Diffraction
Interference

11. Wave Interactions Reflection
The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface.
* NOTE: When waves hits a substance some of it is transmitted and some of it is reflected.
Transmitted means to pass through
This is why we can see objects and hear echoes.

12. Wave Interactions The Law of Reflection states
When a wave is reflected from a surface, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.

13. Wave Interactions Refraction
The bending of waves as they pass through different mediums that cause the speed of the wave to change.
Light bending when in air and liquid

14. Wave Interactions
Diffraction: Change in direction of a wave when it hits an obstacle or edge.
Sound diffracts well around corners
Light does not diffract as much because their wavelengths are shorter

15. Wave Interactions Interference
When 2 or more waves that overlap combine, forming a new wave.
Two objects can’t occupy the same space at the same time, but waves can.
There are 4 types of interference
Constructive interference
Destructive interference
Standing waves
Resonance

16. Interference Constructive interference
When the crest and trough of different waves match
They combine to make a wave with larger amplitude

17. Interference Destructive interference
When the crest of one wave meets the trough of another
The results are a smaller amplitude or no amplitude

18. Interference Standing waves
When waves combined they look like they are standing still, but are not.
It is a combination of constructive and destructive interference

19. Interference Resonance
When 2 objects naturally vibrate at the same frequency.
The sound produced by one object causes the other to vibrate.
Body of a guitar resonates when the strings are strummed