Waves
A wave is a periodic disturbance that spreads out from a source
and carries energy with it.
There are two types of waves mechanical and electromagnetic.
- Mechanical
- Examples -- sound
waves, water waves, etc.
- Require medium for
transfer; cannot be transferred through a vacuum
- The speed of the wave
depends upon the mechanical properties of the medium.
- Some waves are periodic
(particles undergo back and forth displacement as in a sound wave.)
- Some waves are
sinusoidal (paricles undergo up and down displacement as in a wave on a
string.)
- Electromagnetic
- Examples -- light
waves, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, etc.
- Do not require a medium
for transfer; can be transferred through a vacuum