Types of Waves

Introduction

• Definition: A wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium from one location to another without transporting matter.
• Mechanical Wave: A disturbance traveling through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas).
  • Example: Water waves when a stone is thrown into a lake.

Types of Waves

1. Transverse Waves

• Description: In transverse waves, particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
• Examples:
  • Water waves.
  • Light waves.
  • Radio waves.
• Demonstration:
  • Using a slinky: When one end of the slinky is whipped, it appears to move like a snake, showcasing the transverse wave.
• Key Points:
  • The disturbance is carried forward, but particles undergo to and fro motion about their mean position.

2. Longitudinal Waves

• Description: In longitudinal waves, particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
• Examples:
  • Sound waves.
  • Wave in a slinky.
• Demonstration:
  • Push and pull action in a group of people, similar to the slinky demonstration.
  • Shows compressions and rarefactions.
• Key Points:
  • Involves back and forth motion.
  • Compressions are regions where particles are crowded, and rarefactions are regions where particles are spread apart.

Summary

• Two Main Types of Waves:
  • Transverse Waves: Particles move perpendicular to wave direction.
  • Longitudinal Waves: Particles move parallel to wave direction.
• Examples include light, radio, heat (transverse) and sound, slinky motion (longitudinal).

Next Steps

• Next module will cover sound waves in detail.