Types of Waves
Every sound we hear, every photon of light that hits our eyes, the movement of grass blown by the wind and the regular beat of the tides are all examples of waves. They are all around us. Visible, physical wave*s such as those we see when a rock is thrown into water are what many people think about when they first began to think about waves. These waves have distinct properties specific to their type but also exhibit characteristics in common with more abstract waves such as sound waves and light (electromagnetic) waves.
Below is an interactive illustration that explores particle and energy motion for the three wave types listed above. Once you have reviewed the illustration and accompanying text, test your understanding of these concepts with the wave type problem set
At the simplest level, waves are disturbances that propagate energy through a medium. Propagation of the energy depend on interactions between the particles that make up the medium. Particles move as the waves pass through but there is no net motion of particles. This means, once a wave has passed the particles return to their original position. As a result, energy, not matter, is propagated by waves.
Different types of waves exhibits specific characteristics. These characteristics are used to distinguish between wave types. Orientation of particle motion relative to the direction of energy propagation is one way waves are characterized. There are three categories:
- Longitudinal wave*s - Movement of the particles are parallel to the motion of the energy. Sound waves moving through the air is an example of this type of wave.
- Transverse wave*s - movement of the particles are at right angles (perpendicular) to the motion of the energy. Movement of a wave through a solid object like a stretched rope or a trampoline is an example of this type of wave.
- Surface wave*s - particles travel in a circular motion. These waves occur at interfaces. Examples include waves in the ocean and ripples in a cup of water. One consequence of occurring at an interface is that the motion of the particles diminish with distance from the interface. The further from the interface the smaller the rotation of the particles until as some distance from the surface, there is no more movement or energy propagation.
A second way that waves are characterized is by the types of matter they are able to travel through. Electromagnetic waves (including light) can move through a vacuum. Physical waves require matter through which to propagate. Physical waves are further distinguished by the phases of matter through which they can move. Longitudinal waves can pass through liquids and gasses while transverse waves require a material to be solid to propagate.
Comments
anthony alanano (not verified)
Tue, 01/14/2014 - 00:32
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Science
know i know what are the different kinds of wave*s
Johansacpa (not verified)
Mon, 01/11/2016 - 04:39
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Science
This help me
gillian (not verified)
Wed, 06/04/2014 - 14:57
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waves
this really helped my class in our unit!
MyNameIsNotNecessary (not verified)
Sat, 10/18/2014 - 12:37
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Waves
This really helped me to do my science projects =)
Haven (not verified)
Mon, 12/01/2014 - 12:14
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Science
It's good
Maiden (not verified)
Thu, 03/12/2015 - 12:48
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Science Olympiad
This really helped me out with my Crave The Wave* project, thanks!
smile (not verified)
Tue, 03/15/2016 - 15:06
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OMG
OMG im doing that tooo
Ghulam Mujtaba (not verified)
Fri, 03/13/2015 - 02:10
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just for thnx
this helped me in my assignment.thnx................................................
Anonymous (not verified)
Tue, 05/05/2015 - 23:50
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Thanks, helpful for studying.
Thanks, helpful for studying. :)
john mangum (not verified)
Wed, 05/06/2015 - 14:07
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like your website
i love it . its funny when you get to change the wave*s
gg (not verified)
Wed, 06/10/2015 - 15:53
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its okay
i needed to see what caused the wave* or what it was from but the thing that showed me the different wave thing was cool
Nadine Eagle-r (not verified)
Wed, 08/12/2015 - 07:10
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This help me to make my
This help me to make my assignment inn science.Thanks to this website :)
John Michael Arfapo (not verified)
Fri, 08/21/2015 - 23:27
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Physics I
This is Great.. it helped me a lot.
Anonymous (not verified)
Mon, 09/07/2015 - 09:07
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Thanks
This helped me alot finding some few types of wave*s! We all in the classroom used this resource! THANKS!
Anonymous (not verified)
Fri, 10/16/2015 - 09:51
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science
wow This helped me for my test and now Boom I have a passing grade
Hannah (not verified)
Sat, 10/17/2015 - 06:05
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Science 7
Really helped me! Thanx...
Anonymous (not verified)
Mon, 10/19/2015 - 13:05
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thisn was very helpful for
thisn was very helpful for the project i am doing about types of wave*s
Steve (not verified)
Sun, 11/29/2015 - 19:36
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this was the best website and
this was the best website and really helped with my homework
Anonymous (not verified)
Tue, 12/29/2015 - 06:34
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would of helped to show
would of helped to show examples e.g. what a radio wave* is or what a microwave is etc.
ams
Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:30
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There is a page on the site devoted to electromagnetic energy:
http://scienceprimer.com/electromagnetic-spectrum
Lakai Mackendrick (not verified)
Thu, 01/21/2016 - 14:45
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luv et
I luv dis sit
Anonymous (not verified)
Fri, 02/05/2016 - 15:07
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cool
i like the pretty colors and it really helps