Waves
A wave is a repeating disturbance that moves energy from place to place without moving matter. Waves transmit energy, NOT matter.
Waves are created when a force causes a vibration.
Waves can transmit energy through a medium or through empty space.
Waves are created when a force causes a vibration.
Waves can transmit energy through a medium or through empty space.
What is a medium?
A medium is material that waves can travel through; it can be a solid, liquid, or gas.
Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space (no medium).
When a wave travels through a medium, it does not carry the medium along with it, energy moves through the particles without carrying them along with the energy.
Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space (no medium).
When a wave travels through a medium, it does not carry the medium along with it, energy moves through the particles without carrying them along with the energy.
mechanical waves
Mechanical waves MUST have a medium in order to move. This means that waves will travel through a substance (air, water, rock) and cannot move if there is no substance. If there is no medium, there will be no mechanical waves.
Can be either compression or transverse waves.
Examples: Water waves, sound waves, seismic (earthquake) waves, and any wave that travels down a rope or string.
Can be either compression or transverse waves.
Examples: Water waves, sound waves, seismic (earthquake) waves, and any wave that travels down a rope or string.