Waves: Background
Waves
A wave can be described as a disturbance that travels through a medium from one location to another location.
Mechanical waves require a material medium to travel (air, water, ropes). These waves are divided into three different categories.
- Transverse waves cause the medium to move perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
- Longitudinal waves cause the medium to move parallel to the direction of the wave.
- Surface waves are both transverse waves and longitudinal waves mixed in one medium.
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to travel (light, radio).
Matter waves are produced by electrons and particles.
The distance the wave has traveled between maximums is the wavelength.
The strength of the vibration is the amplitude.
The shortest time that a point takes to return to the initial position (one vibration) is called period, T.
Additionally,
wave speed = frequency x wavelength
Geophysics: Earthquakes
Earthquakes
An earthquake is the vibration, sometimes violent, of the Earth's surface that follows a release of energy in the Earth's crust. In the process of breaking, vibrations called "seismic waves" are generated. These waves travel outward from the source of the earthquake along the surface and through the Earth at varying speeds depending on the material through which they move. Some of the vibrations are of high enough frequency to be audible, while others are of very low frequency. These vibrations cause the entire planet to quiver or ring like a bell or tuning fork.
Epicenter - Where the Earthquake starts
Fault - Where two or more tectonic plates converge
•P waves - Compressional waves (parallel movement)
•S waves - Shear waves (perpendicular movement)
A tsunami is a series of generated waves that occur when an ocean or another body of water is hit on a heavy scale by an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption or another dramatic natural occurrence. When featuring smaller amplitudes or wave heights and very long wavelengths, tsunamis generally form a passing hump in the sea and go unnoticed.
An earthquake is the vibration, sometimes violent, of the Earth's surface that follows a release of energy in the Earth's crust. In the process of breaking, vibrations called "seismic waves" are generated. These waves travel outward from the source of the earthquake along the surface and through the Earth at varying speeds depending on the material through which they move. Some of the vibrations are of high enough frequency to be audible, while others are of very low frequency. These vibrations cause the entire planet to quiver or ring like a bell or tuning fork.
Epicenter - Where the Earthquake starts
Fault - Where two or more tectonic plates converge
•P waves - Compressional waves (parallel movement)
•S waves - Shear waves (perpendicular movement)
A tsunami is a series of generated waves that occur when an ocean or another body of water is hit on a heavy scale by an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption or another dramatic natural occurrence. When featuring smaller amplitudes or wave heights and very long wavelengths, tsunamis generally form a passing hump in the sea and go unnoticed.
Electromagnetic Waves Virtual Laboratory
Using the link below, complete the attached laboratory:
Electromagnetic Spectrum Virtual Lab
When electrically charged particles move, electromagnetic waves are produced. These waves travel outward, or radiate, from the charged particles. Visible light is an electromagnetic wave, as are radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, ultraviolet waves, and X rays. All the different types of electromagnetic waves form the electromagnetic spectrum.
Objectives:
Using the chart below, (draw in journal) complete the assigned virtual laboratory:
Using the link below, complete the attached laboratory:
Electromagnetic Spectrum Virtual Lab
When electrically charged particles move, electromagnetic waves are produced. These waves travel outward, or radiate, from the charged particles. Visible light is an electromagnetic wave, as are radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, ultraviolet waves, and X rays. All the different types of electromagnetic waves form the electromagnetic spectrum.
Objectives:
- Match visual representations of waves to their written descriptions.
- Identify and describe the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Compare and order different types of electromagnetic waves by frequency, wavelength, and energy.
Using the chart below, (draw in journal) complete the assigned virtual laboratory:
Waves Problems
ASSIGNMENT: Please write in your journal:
Use the following process to complete the problems:
Givens & unknown
Formula used
Plug #’s into formula
Answer (units)
ASSIGNMENT: Please write in your journal:
Use the following process to complete the problems:
Givens & unknown
Formula used
Plug #’s into formula
Answer (units)
- What is the speed of an ocean wave that has a wavelength of 0.30 meters and a frequency of 1.80 hertz?
- Calculate the frequency of a wave in a spring toy. The wave has a speed of 1.1 m/s and a wavelength of 0.1 meters.
- A wave ripples through a large flag when the wind blows steadily. What is the wavelength of the wave if its frequency is 12.0 hertz and its speed is 1.1 m/s?
- The speed of a wave can be calculated by multiplying the frequency by the wavelength. You can also calculate wave speed by dividing the wavelength by the period of the wave. Why does this make sense?
- The frequency of a wave is 40 Hz. The speed of the wave is 100 m/s. What is the wavelength of this wave?
- The wavelength of a wave is 50 centimeters. The frequency is 100 Hz. What is the speed of this wave?
Waves Vocabulary
7. ____________________ is the distance between one point of a wave to the same point in the next wave.
8. ____________________ is the number of waves per unit of time.
9. ____________________ waves occur when the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave.
10. ____________________ waves have a color spectrum known as ROYGBIV.
11. ____________________ waves disturb matter.
12. The ________________ is the top of a wave.
13. The ________________ is the bottom of a wave.
14. ____________________ is the maximum distance that matter is displaced from the resting position.
15. ____________________ waves are used to penetrate solids and are used in doctor’s offices and as airports.
16. ___________________ waves are produced by stars and galaxies.
17. ___________________ waves occur when the motion of the medium is at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of the wave.
18. ___________________ waves are often used in heat lamps.
19. ___________________ waves are utilized by insects to locate nectar.
20. ___________________ waves are transverse waves that disturb electromagnetic fields.
21. ___________________ waves have the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency.
7. ____________________ is the distance between one point of a wave to the same point in the next wave.
8. ____________________ is the number of waves per unit of time.
9. ____________________ waves occur when the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave.
10. ____________________ waves have a color spectrum known as ROYGBIV.
11. ____________________ waves disturb matter.
12. The ________________ is the top of a wave.
13. The ________________ is the bottom of a wave.
14. ____________________ is the maximum distance that matter is displaced from the resting position.
15. ____________________ waves are used to penetrate solids and are used in doctor’s offices and as airports.
16. ___________________ waves are produced by stars and galaxies.
17. ___________________ waves occur when the motion of the medium is at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of the wave.
18. ___________________ waves are often used in heat lamps.
19. ___________________ waves are utilized by insects to locate nectar.
20. ___________________ waves are transverse waves that disturb electromagnetic fields.
21. ___________________ waves have the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency.