Lesson Wave Terminology

U4L1: Intro to Waves

MS-PS4-1. Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude if a wave is related to the energy of a wave.

MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed or transmitted through varius materials.

​Homework Check

Open Ended

What do you already know about waves?

​Learning Outcomes

​Key Words

• Wave 波 (bō)

• Medium 介质 (jièzhì)

• Oscillate 振荡 (zhèndàng)

• Equilibrium 平衡 (pínghéng)

​Describe a wave and define important wave terminology.

1. What is a wave?

2. Explain how a wave moves using the terms medium (介质), oscillate (振荡) and equilibrium (平衡).

3. What does a wave transfer as it moves?

4. Compare and contrast mechanical and electromagnetic waves.

5. How might life on Earth be different if light waves were mechanical waves?

• Waves are everywhere. In fact, you observe many different kinds of waves every day.

• You see waves that move through matter, such as those that cause water to rise and sink in the ocean.

• You feel waves such as those that produce heat and hear waves such as those that produce sound.

What is a wave?

• A wave is a regular pattern of motion created by a disturbance.

• A wave can move through matter. Some waves can move through a vacuum (empty space).

• A wave transfers energy as it moves from one place to another.

What is a wave?

• You can “see” energy carried by a wave traveling through matter. The movement of a wave is actually movement of energy through the matter.

• In Jurassic Park, the water moves due to a vibratory disturbance created from the T-Rex. This creates waves that travel through the water. The movement of the waves is actually movement of energy.

What is a wave?

• Most waves travel through a medium. A medium is a substance (gas, liquid or solid) through which a wave travels.

• When a wave travels through a medium, it causes particles in that substance to oscillate.

• An oscillation is a repeating and regular vibration. It is a “back and forth” motion across a point, called equilibrium. Equilibrium is also known as the rest position.

What is a wave?

• A wave does NOT transfer matter.

• The wave causes particles to move up and down or left and right. However, they always return to equilibrium (or rest) once the wave has passed.

What is a wave?

Multiple Choice

What is a wave?

• The transfer of matter from one location to another

• A regular pattern of motion created by a vibratory disturbance

• An irregular pattern of motion created by a vibrating object

• An irregular movement of energy across a vacuum

Multiple Choice

What is an oscillation?

• A regular motion that happens only once

• A regular and repeating motion

• An irregular motion that occurs only once

• An irregular and repeating motion

Multiple Choice

A periodic wave...

• Travels at a constant speed only

• Travels with regular oscillations only

• Travels for only a short amount of time

• Travels at a constant speed AND with regular oscillations

Open Ended

What is the difference between a mechanical and electromagnetic wave?

What is the difference between a mechanical and electromagnetic wave

A mechanical wave is created by a mechanical motion or vibration. An electromagnetic wave is created by oscillations of electric and magnetic fields

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