1. IPC Notes The Nature of Waves

2. A wave is a repeating disturbance or movement that transfers energy through matter or space. ex) light, sound & radio

3. The Nature of Waves A medium is any material that a wave transfers energy through. ex) water is the medium for ocean waves

4. 2 Types of Waves A transverse wave occurs when the particle movement is at right angles to the direction of the wave. ex) water waves

5. 2 Types of Waves A compressional wave occurs when the particle movement is in the same direction as the wave. ex) sound waves

6. Wave Properties wavelength – the distance between one point on a wave and the nearest point just like it

7. Wave Properties frequency – the number of wavelengths that pass a given point each second

8. Wave Properties crest – the highest point of a wave

9. Wave Properties trough – the lowest point of a wave

10. Wave Properties amplitude – the measure of the energy of a wave

11. Wave Diagrams Draw a transverse wave diagram and label the following parts: crest, trough, wavelength, amplitude & rest position

12. Compressional Waves compression – the part of a compressional wave where the particles are close together

13. Compressional Waves rarefaction – the part of a compressional wave where the particles are far apart

14. Compressional Waves wavelength – includes one complete compression and one complete rarefaction