All periodic waveforms have these common characteristics. The characteristics of a waveform are wavelength, amplitude, velocity, and frequency. Light wavesĪlthough light is classified as a transverse wave, the motion of the electrical and magnetic fields may be circular instead. The surface of the water looks like it goes up and down, but actually the water molecules move in a circular or oval motion to form the wave. Water wavesĭrop a stone in a pool and waves move outward. There are cases where the material moves in a combination of transverse and compression, moving in a circular or elliptical pattern. The electrons stay in their general region in AC electricity, while the flow through and out the wire in DC electricity. AC electricityĮlectrons move back-and-forth in a wire, sending a wave of electric power through the wire. Sound wavesĪ loudspeaker cone moves back-and-forth to create a sound, which is a compression wave. The compression will move along the Slinky to its other end. You can stretch out a Slinky along the floor and give one end a back-and-forth shove. The rarefaction is the farthest distance apart in the longitudinal wave and the compression is the closest distance together.Ĭomparison of compression wave and transverse wave Slinky It consists of multiple compressions and rarefactions. Longitudinal waves cause the medium to vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave. Longitudinal wavesīack-and-forth motion creates longitudinal waves, which consists of compression of the material, followed by a rarefaction Light or electromagnetic waves are caused by a up-and-down motion of electric and magnetic fields, thus making them transverse waves. Vibrating string demonstrates waveform Light waves A guitar string also has this type of motion. The parts of the rope only move up-and-down, but the wave moves from one end of the rope to the other. You can shake a rope, causing a wave motion. The people on one side then stand up and sit down, then the next people, and so one.Įveryone is still in their seats, but the wave traveled through the ballpark from one end to the other. Wave in ballgameĪt the ballgame, someone in the stands may start up a "wave" by standing up and then sitting down. Up-and-down motion creates transverse waves. The following examples shows common transverse, compression and circular waveforms. This sounds somewhat abstract, but it can be visualized with examples. It appears as if something is actually moving along the material, but in reality it is just the distortion moving, where one part influences the next. Wave motion is defined as the movement of a distortion of a material or medium, where the individual parts or elements of the material only move back-and-forth, up-and-down, or in a cyclical pattern. What common characteristics do all waves have?.What are some examples of different types of waves?.Most familiar are surface waves on water, but both sound and light travel as wavelike disturbances, and the motion of all subatomic particles exhibits wavelike properties. Wave motion, propagation of disturbances-that is, deviations from a state of rest or equilibrium-from place to place in a regular and organized way. All waves have similar characteristics, and since all forms of wave motion follow the same laws and principles, knowing the fundamentals of wave motion is important in understanding sound, light, and other types of waves.Ī wave is a disturbance or oscillation that travels through space and matter, accompanied by a transfer of energy. Wave motion is a disturbance in a material or medium where the individual parts of the material may only show periodic motion, while the waveform itself moves through the material.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |