Classification of Waves

Waves

​At the end of this session students will be able to

1. Define a wave as a means of transferring energy.

2. Differentiate between types of waves based on their topology, movement of particles and their net transfer of energy.

3. Identify parameters associated with a sinusoidal wave; height, amplitude, trough and crest.

Materials

1. Basin of water

2. small rock

3. table tennis ball

4. slinky

Imagine the following Scenario

Waves is the transfer of energy from one point in space to another point in space that begins with a vibration. 

a. Fill a basin with water and place it to rest on a level surface.
b. Place a table tennis ball in the water and allow it to settle (The water is stagnant and the ball will not be moving in the water.)
c. Drop a small pebble in the water a short distance away from the ball
d. Observe what happens and to give an explanation of what took place;

What is a wave?

Waves is the transfer of energy from one point in space to another point in space that begins with a vibration. 

Classification of Waves.

1. Waves can be classified based on their topology ( how they look) 

Classification of Waves.

2.Waves can be classified based on their
movement of particles

Classification of Waves.

1. Waves can be classified based on their net energy transfer.

Parts of a transverse waves.

. 

• Crest - The highest point on the wave from its rest position.

• Trough - The lowest point on the wave from its rest position.

• Wave Height - The vertical distance between crest and trough.

• Wavelength - The horizontal distance between successive crests or troughs.

• Wave Period - The time it takes for one complete wave to pass a particular point.

• Amplitude - One-half the wave height or the distance from either the crest or the trough to the rest position.

• Direction of Propagation - the direction in which a wave is travelling.

• Medium is the substance through which the wave travels

Parts of a longitudinal waves.

​Rarefaction in a longitudinal wave is an area where the particles are spread apart, as opposed to compression in a longitudinal wave, when the particles are closest together.

Consolidation

1.      Recall the definition of a wave.

2.      Differentiate between a standing/stationary wave or progressive/travelling wave.

3.      Differentiate between a transverse and longitudinal wave.

4.      Identify the crest, trough, amplitude, wavelength on a sinusoidal wave

Multiple Choice

• Trough

• Equilibrium

• Crest

• Wavelength

Multiple Choice

Which letter represents wavelength?

• A
• B
• C
• D

Multiple Choice

the measurement from one wave's crest to another crest or it's trough to another trough

• crest

• trough

• amplitude

• wavelength

Multiple Choice

Which wave in the diagram has the greatest wavelength?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Multiple Choice

• Frequency
• Amplitude
• Wavelength
• Trough

Multiple Choice

• Trough
• Crest
• Amplitude
• Wavelength

Multiple Choice

What do waves carry and transfer?

• Nothing

• Only Sound

• Only sunlight

• Energy

Multiple Choice

The bottom part of the wave is called trough.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The red dot represents a point on a rope. As a transverse wave moves through the rope, which picture shows how the dot will move?

Multiple Choice

Which one of the diagrams represents the greatest amplitude?

Multiple Select

Select the two statements that are true

• Transverse wave: particle motion is perpendicular to wave motion

• Transverse wave: particle motion is parallel to wave motion

• Longitudinal wave: particle motion is perpendicular to wave motion

• Longitudinal wave: particle motion is parallel to wave motion

Multiple Choice

How many wavelengths does this wave have?

• 4 and a quarter

• 8 and a half

• 1

• 7

Multiple Choice

Sound waves are _______________

• Transverse waves
• Longitudinal waves
• Circular waves
• Seismic waves