Waves, Sound, and Light

Waves transfer energy; it is a disturbance moving through some type of medium.

Sound waves generally move through the air (the medium).

Period (T, measured in seconds) is the time it takes to complete a cycle

Frequency(f, measured in Hertz which is 1/seconds) is the number of cycles completed in a unit of time

So T= 1/f and f=1/T

Transverse Wave- a wave that oscillates up and down. Such as a light wave.

Longitudinal Wave- the displacement and motion of the wave are in the same direction or opposite direction. Such as a sound wave.

Reflection: when waves bounce from a surface back toward the source. A reflected wave "bounces back" from a surface

A mirror reflects an image of the observer back to the observer.

Refraction: when waves are deflected when the waves go through a substance. This creates an angle change it the image appears "bent"

Diffraction: when a wave goes through a small gap/hole. When going through the hole it will flare out geometrically. Diffraction happens with all types of waves.