The Energy of

Waves
Section 2: Properties of Waves
Amplitude

Amplitude is the measurement of a wave

from its resting position to the crest.

The larger the amplitude, the taller the

wave
Small amplitude = low energy
Large amplitude = high energy
Measuring Amplitude

The amplitude of a transverse wave is measured from the

rest position to the crest or to the trough of the wave
Wavelength
A wavelength is the distance between any
two adjacent crests or compressions in a
series of waves.
The distance between two adjacent troughs
or rarefactions is also a wavelength
The wavelength can be measured from any
point on one wave to the corresponding
point on the next wave.
Measuring Wavelength
Frequency

The number of waves produced in a given

time is the frequency
In a transverse wave, frequency is
measured by the number of crests or the
number of troughs that pass a certain point
over a certain amount of time
In a longitudinal wave, you would count the
number of compressions or rarefactions.
Frequency

Frequency is typically expressed in

hertz (Hz).
For waves, one Hz = 1 wave per
second
(1 Hz = 1/s)
High frequency waves carry more
energy than low frequency waves.
 Which is carrying
more energy?

The higher the frequency, the more energy is being carried.

Wave Speed

Wave speed is the speed at which a

wave travels
The speed of a wave depends on the
medium in which the wave is traveling.
Calculating Wave Speed

Wave speed can be calculated using

wavelength and frequency

wave speed = wavelength x frequency

Lets practice!
Calculating Wave Speed

wave speed = wavelength x frequency

Calculating Wave Speed

wave speed = wavelength x frequency

The Energy of
Waves
Section 3: Wave Interactions
Reflection

Reflection occurs when a wave bounces

back after striking a barrier.
All waves can be reflected including
water, sound, and light waves
Reflected sound waves are called
echoes
Refraction

Refraction is the bending of a wave as it

passes at an angle from one medium to
another

Lets try it! Then see what happens

when the pencil is perpendicular to the
water
Diffraction
Most of the time, waves travel in a straight
line
Diffraction is the bending of waves around a
barrier or through an opening
Sound is an example of a wave that can be
diffracted
The amount of diffraction a waves
experiences depends on its wavelength and
the size of the barrier or opening
Interference

Because matter has volume, it cannot

occupy the same space at the same time
Since waves do not contain matter, they
can share space at the same time
Interference is when two or more waves
overlap
Constructive
Interference
Constructive interference occurs when the
crest or trough of one wave overlap the crest
or trough of another wave

When waves combine in this way the result is

a new wave with increased (larger) amplitude.

Constructive = Positive (increased) change

Destructive Interference

Destructive interference occurs when the

crest of one wave overlap the trough of
another wave

When waves combine in this way the

result is a new wave with decreased
(smaller) amplitude.

Destructive = Negative (decreased)

change
Interference can create
standing waves
A standing wave is a wave that forms a
stationary pattern in which portions of the
wave are at the rest position due to total
destructive interference and other
portions have a larger amplitude due to
constructive interference.
Lets review

When a wave bounces back from a barrier,

____________ has occurred.

_________occurs when a wave bends as

it passes from one medium to a different
medium.
__________happens when 2 or more
waves overlap.
Lets review

When a wave bounces back from a

barrier, reflection has occurred.

Refraction occurs when a wave bends as

it passes from one medium to a different
medium.
Interference happens when 2 or more
waves overlap.