Wave Introduction

​Waves are disturbances carrying energy.

​Transverse waves have vibrations moving perpendicular to the energy flow.

​Longitudinal waves have energy and vibrations in same direction

The amount of energy moving through a medium determines the size of the wave.

A small amount of energy will create a smaller disturbance hence, smaller wave. A large amount of energy will create a larger disturbance and wave.

Waves with more energy have higher amplitudes. Waves with less energy have lower amplitudes.

​High amplitude=high energy.

Amplitude does NOT affect frequency, wavelength or the wave speed.

​Wave travels at different speed depending on the medium it is in.

​Mechanical waves travel fastest in solid medium as the particles are closer together to vibrate more.

Mechanical Waves travel faster in Liquids than in gases (think of delay between lightning and thunder)

​As wavelength increases, less waves will pass an area per second. Hence, frequency decreases.

​Less waves moving over an area per second means less energy being transferred.

​Higher frequencies means waves are passing quicker so more energy.

More waves passing in a second means the distance between them is shorter, hence, shorter wavelength.

​​Shorter Wavelength = higher the frequency = greater energy.

Longer wavelengths = lower the frequency = lower energy.

​Frequency is INVERSELY proportional to Wavelength.

Therefore, doubling one means halving the other.

​​This will NOT affect the wave speed. That is, doubling frequency or wavelength will produce the SAME wave speed.

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​Wave speed= Frequency x Wavelength