Every note of music we hear, every ray of light that hits our eyes and every touch of wind we feel against our skin are all examples of waves. Waves are all around us. The word ‘wave’ instinctively yields the visualization of the physical wave we imagine as those like the ones we see in a typical beach. However, waves are more to than just the crashing and powerful sea waves we often think of. Waves have distinct properties specific to their type which exhibit characteristics in common with more abstract waves such as sound waves and light (electromagnetic) waves. There are three types of waves:
1) Transverse Waves - movement of the particles are perpendicular to the motion of the energy. Movement of a wave through a solid object like a stretched rope or a trampoline is an example of this type of wave.
2) Longitudinal Waves - movement of the articles travel in a circular motion. These waves occur at interfaces. Examples include waves in the ocean and ripples in a cup of water.
3) Surface Waves - Movement of the particles are parallel to the motion of the energy. Sound waves are an example of this type of wave.
2) Longitudinal Waves - movement of the articles travel in a circular motion. These waves occur at interfaces. Examples include waves in the ocean and ripples in a cup of water.
3) Surface Waves - Movement of the particles are parallel to the motion of the energy. Sound waves are an example of this type of wave.
Features of a Wave
A standard set of terminology is used to present the feature of waves
Frequency -The number of crests or troughs that pass a point during a set time interval.
Amplitude - Equal to one of the wave
Wave Height - vertical distance between the crest of a wave and its neighboring trough.
Wavelength Amplitude - horizontal distance between successive crests, troughs or other parts of a wave.
Trough- the lowest point in a wave
Crest - the highest point in a wave
Frequency -The number of crests or troughs that pass a point during a set time interval.
Amplitude - Equal to one of the wave
Wave Height - vertical distance between the crest of a wave and its neighboring trough.
Wavelength Amplitude - horizontal distance between successive crests, troughs or other parts of a wave.
Trough- the lowest point in a wave
Crest - the highest point in a wave