Different types of waves travel at different speeds and have unique features. Let’s break it down simply:
Mechanical Waves: These waves need something to travel through, like air or water. For instance, sound waves move at about 343 meters per second in air. But they go much faster in water!
Electromagnetic Waves: These waves can travel without needing a medium. Light waves, for example, zoom along at about 300 million meters per second in empty space.
Here are some key parts of waves to know:
Amplitude: This tells us how tall the wave is. A taller wave means more energy.
Wavelength: This is the distance between one wave peak and the next. It helps us see how colors appear in visible light.
Frequency: This is how many wave cycles happen in one second. It’s also related to the sound pitch we hear.
Speed: We can calculate speed using the formula: Speed = Frequency × Wavelength.
So, to sum it up: Waves travel differently depending on what's around them (the medium). Amplitude, wavelength, and frequency help us understand the energy of the wave and how we perceive it.
Different types of waves travel at different speeds and have unique features. Let’s break it down simply:
Mechanical Waves: These waves need something to travel through, like air or water. For instance, sound waves move at about 343 meters per second in air. But they go much faster in water!
Electromagnetic Waves: These waves can travel without needing a medium. Light waves, for example, zoom along at about 300 million meters per second in empty space.
Here are some key parts of waves to know:
Amplitude: This tells us how tall the wave is. A taller wave means more energy.
Wavelength: This is the distance between one wave peak and the next. It helps us see how colors appear in visible light.
Frequency: This is how many wave cycles happen in one second. It’s also related to the sound pitch we hear.
Speed: We can calculate speed using the formula: Speed = Frequency × Wavelength.
So, to sum it up: Waves travel differently depending on what's around them (the medium). Amplitude, wavelength, and frequency help us understand the energy of the wave and how we perceive it.