Transcript 17.1 Mechanical Waves

17.1 Mechanical Waves
1. Describe how mechanical waves
are produced.
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Mechanical waves are produced when a
source of energy causes a vibration to travel
in a medium.
A medium is the material that the wave travels
through.
Examples – all phases of matter
Mechanical waves are classified by the way they
move through a medium
2. List the 3 main types of
mechanical waves.
 Transverse
 Longitudinal
 Surface
waves
3. For each type of wave compare
the vibration of the medium to the
direction of the wave.
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Transverse wave: medium vibrates perpendicular to
the direction the wave travels
Longitudinal wave: medium vibrates parallel to the
direction the wave travels
Surface wave: a circular motion as the medium
vibrates both perpendicular and parallel to wave
direction
4. Name one example of each type
of wave.
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Transverse: shaking the end of a rope
Longitudinal: compressions and rarefactions
moving along a spring (slinky)
Surface waves: deep water waves in the ocean
5. How are transverse and
longitudinal waves similar? How are
they different?
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Both carry energy through a medium without
transferring matter
Transverse: vibration perpendicular to wave
direction
Longitudinal: vibration parallel to wave travel
7. In the surface wave diagram in your
book, why is the first position of the
bobber the same as the 5th position of the
bobber?
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The bobber has moved in a full circle that
returns it back to its starting position.
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