WAVES
1. WAVES -- THE BASICS
2. SOUND WAVES
3. LIGHT WAVES
4. SAMPLE PROBLEMS AND HELPFUL LINKS
5. BACK TO THE MAIN PAGE
In order to describe waves, we must have ways to measure them. We can measure them by the energy the carry, the velocity that they travel, or the frequency with which they are produced. This is necessary to not only compare waves, but also do help us distinguish one wave type from another.
Some mechanical waves are compatible of producing sound. That is, some mechanical waves are capable of causing the eardrum to vibrate, which in turn sends a message to the brain. These waves we call audible waves, or simply, sound. We measure sound in terms of its 'loudness,' typically measured in decibals, and its 'pitch' or 'frequency,' typically measured in Hertz. We can also show that 'music,' or 'pleasing mixture of sounds,' occurs when notes are played in a very mathematical ratio of frequency.
Waves in the visible specturm, or simply 'light,' are waves that are capable of stimulating the human eye. We can measure light in terms of its intensity or its frequency. We may also, just as we do all waves, reflect light, refract (bend into a new substance) light, diffract (bend around an obstacle) light, and cause light to interfere with itself. Interestingly, light has properties of both waves and particles, which explains why it is effected by gravity. In black holes, the gravitational pull is so strong that light can not escape.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
AND HELPFUL LINKS
| TOPIC | SAMPLE PROBLEMS | HELPFUL LINKS |
| WAVES -- THE BASICS | Chapter 14: pages 344-346, questions 1-17, 23-26, 32-41, 45. | INFOLINE -- HELPFUL WAVE DEFINITIONS |
| SOUND WAVES | Chapter 15: pages 368-370, questions 1-34, 36-42. | |
| LIGHT WAVES | Chapter 16: pages 389-391, 1-20, 31-39. |
WAVES