Science Tutorial: Waves

Introduction

• Presenter: Miss Jenning, Grade 7 Science Teacher
• Topic: Waves, their categories, types, and characteristics
• Context: Relating waves to real-life examples like beach waves, ripples in water, and waves in a rope or slinky

Definition of Waves

• Waves: Disturbance that carries energy through material space.
• Movement: From one place to another
• Examples:
  • Jerk on a rope (creates a disturbance)
  • Wave pulse: Single disturbance
  • Wave train: Series of disturbances

Categories of Waves

1. Mechanical Waves

   • Requires a medium to transfer energy
   • Can travel through a vacuum
   • Examples: Sound waves, ocean waves

2. Electromagnetic Waves

   • Do not require a medium
   • Can travel through a vacuum
   • Examples: Light, UV rays, visible light

Types of Mechanical Waves

1. Longitudinal Waves

   • Matter moves back and forth parallel to the wave direction
   • Examples: Waves in a slinky, sound waves

2. Transverse Waves

   • Matter moves up and down at a right angle (perpendicular) to the wave direction
   • Examples: Rope waves, water waves

Characteristics of a Transverse Wave

• Crest: Highest part of a wave
• Trough: Lowest part of a wave
• Amplitude: Height of crest or depth of trough from the equilibrium position
• Wavelength: Distance between successive crests or troughs

Recap

• Discussed waves and their two main categories: Mechanical and Electromagnetic
• Types of mechanical waves: Longitudinal and Transverse
• Characteristics of waves

Conclusion

• Ended with a 5-item quiz on waves
• Encouragement to review and see the application of waves in various contexts

End of Tutorial