Categories of Waves

Name:

Categories of Waves

Guided Notes

Sound Waves:

Transverse Waveswave in which particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves- think slinky going down steps (Categories of Waves #3)

Longitudinal Waveswave in which particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction that the wave moves- think slinky stretched moving back and forth (Categories of Waves #4)

traveling through air is an example of a longitudinal wave. As a sound wave moves from the lips of a speaker to the ear of a listener, particles of air vibrate back and forth in the same direction and the opposite direction of energy transport. Each individual particle pushes on its neighboring particle so as to push it forward(Categories of Waves #5)

Mechanical Waveswave that is not capable of transmitting its energy through a vacuum. Mechanical waves require a medium in order to transport their energy from one location to another. A sound wave is an example of a mechanical wave. Sound waves are incapable of traveling through a vacuum. Slinky waves, water waves, stadium waves, and jump rope waves are other examples of mechanical waves(Categories of Waves #10)

Light Waves:

EM Wavesis capable of transmitting its energy through a vacuum (i.e., empty space)(Categories of Waves #9)

EM WavesElectromagnetic waves are produced by the vibration of charged particles.(Categories of Waves #9)

EM Waves Electromagnetic waves that are produced on the sun subsequently travel to Earth through the vacuum of outer space. Were it not for the ability of electromagnetic waves to travel to through a vacuum,therewould undoubtedly be no life on Earth.(Categories of Waves #9)

EM WavesAll light waves are examples of electromagnetic waves.(Categories of Waves #9)

Summary:

When reading the Categories of waves article, I found that transverse waves move

perpendicular to the particles ( up and down) and longitudinal waves move parallel

to the particles (back and forth). Both transverse and longitudinal waves are

classified as Mechanical waves. Mechanical waves require a medium to travel

through. An example of mechanical waves is sound waves. Electromagnetic waves

are capable of transmitting energy in a vacuum, in other words, require no medium

to travel through. EM waves are produced by the sun and travel through space to Earth. All forms of light (light waves) are considered EM waves. Based on my

Explore observations I found that EM waves travel fastest through gases, then

liquids and slowest through solids. Mechanical waves are just the opposite, they

travel fastest through solids, because of the particles assisting in creating vibrations,

then liquids and slowest through gases, due to lack of particles to create vibrations.

overall both are waves that can transfer energy, but Mechanical waves require a

medium and have different types of movements.