Physics Review Day 3

Waves

• A wave is a repetitive motion that transfers energy through matter or space

• There are two types of waves:– Transverse– Longitudinal (compression)

Waves• Transverse wave -

moves up and down as the energy travels right to left. Perpendicular

• example: light, ocean

• Longitudinal wave – moves back and forth as the energy travels right to left. Parallel

• Example: sound

Speed of Waves

• The velocity of a wave is determined on the wavelength and frequency

• Velocity = wavelength x frequency

V = λ x f

Reflection and Refraction

•   Reflection is the returning, or "bouncing" of a wave off of a surface which resists that kind of wave. When it reflects, it always does so at the exact same angle it came in at.

•    Refraction is the change in direction of a wave when it passes into a new substance. The reason the light changes direction or "bends" is because each different substance has it's own effect on the speed of light within itself.

Diffraction

• Diffraction is the bending of waves around an object or when a wave passes through a narrow opening

Interference• Interference is a process in which two or

more waves combine to form a new wave, two types, Constructive and Destructive

Resonance

• Resonance is the ability of an object to vibrate when it absorbs energy at its natural frequency, mainly used as examples for sound waves.