17.1 mechanical waves · what are mechanical waves? a mechanical wave is a disturbance in matter...

17.1 Mechanical Waves

What Are Mechanical Waves?

A mechanical wave is a disturbance in

matter that carries energy from one

place to another.

The material in which a wave travels

through is called a medium.

A mechanical wave is created when a

source of energy causes a vibration to

travel through a medium.

Types of Mechanical Waves…

Transverse waves

Longitudinal waves

Surface waves

Transverse Wave

The highest point above the rest position is

the crest.

The lowest point below the rest position is the

trough.

A transverse wave is a wave that

causes the medium to vibrate at right

angles in the direction that the wave

travels.

Transverse Wave

Longitudinal Wave

An area where the particles are spaced close

together is called a compression.

An area where the particles in a medium are

spread out is called a rarefaction.

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which

the vibration of the medium is parallel to

the direction the wave travels.

Longitudinal Wave

Surface Waves

A surface wave is a wave that travels

along the surface separating two media.

Example- An ocean surface wave

separates the air and the ocean.

Surface Waves

A Quick Review-White Boards 1. Draw a transverse wave and put a star

where the crest is, and a smiley face where

the trough is.

2. Draw a longitudinal wave and label an area

of compression and rarefaction.

3. The material in which the mechanical wave

travels through is called the ____________.

4. The type of wave that separates two media

is called a __________________.

5. The type of wave whose motion moves in a

parallel direction________________.

17.2 Properties of Mechanical

Waves

Period

The time it takes for a complete wave

to pass one point in space

For an ocean wave, the period is the

time between two crests.

T = 1 / f

Frequency

The number of waves that pass

through a given point in one unit of

time

Symbol: f

Measured in: Hertz (Hz)

The higher the frequency

The shorter the wavelength

Wavelength

The distance between one wave and

the next

Amplitude The size of the waves disturbance

The more energy a wave has, the

greater its amplitude.

Copy the Wave Diagram

amplitude

Medium