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Intro to Mechanical Waves. What are waves? Mechanical Waves Transverse & Longitudinal Waves. What are Waves?. Waves are the motion of a disturbance, not the motion of matter Waves carry energy from one point to another, but no matter is moved
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Intro to Mechanical Waves What are waves? Mechanical Waves Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
What are Waves? • Waves are the motion of a disturbance, not the motion of matter • Waves carry energy from one point to another, but no matter is moved • A disturbance is needed to cause a wave – the wave transfers the energy of the disturbance from the source
Motion of the Medium Ribbon will always move back to rest position (dotted line) after wave passes • As a mechanical wave passes, the medium will vibrate around the rest position, but it ends up in the starting position after the wave passes
Mechanical Waves • Mechanical Waves need a material to travel through • The material that carries the wave is called a medium • A mechanical wave is created when an energy source causes a disturbance and the energy of the disturbance is carried through the medium
Examples of Energy Transfer By Waves • Kinetic Energy of hand is carried through the rope
Examples of Energy Transfer By Waves • Chemical Energy of hand is converted into kinetic energy and then carried through the spring
Examples of Energy Transfer By Waves • Gravitational Potential Energy of raindrop is converted into kinetic as it falls and kinetic energy is carried through water
Transverse Waves • The wave causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the motion of the wave • Crest: highest point of wave from rest position • Trough: lowest point of wave from rest position
Longitudinal (Compression) Waves • A wave where the vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction of wave movement • Compression: area where the particles of the medium are close together • Rarefaction: area where the particles of the medium are spread apart