PhysicsChapter 3: Waves
What A Wave Is
Introduction
A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter permanently from the source to the destination. When a wave travels through a medium, the particles of the medium usually oscillate around their equilibrium positions. They do not travel along with the wave over the full distance. For example, when a ripple moves across water, the visible disturbance travels outward while individual water particles mainly move up and down or around small local paths.
Definition
Energy Transfer
The main role of a wave is to transfer **energy**. A wave may carry energy through: * a material medium; * or, in the case of electromagnetic waves, through a vacuum.
Wave Source
A wave usually begins when a source produces a disturbance or oscillation. Examples include: * a vibrating tuning fork producing sound; * a hand moving a rope; an earthquake producing seismic waves; oscillating electric and magnetic fields producing electromagnetic waves.
Important Idea
**Wave travels → energy travels but medium particles do not permanently travel with the wave.**
Exam preparation
Exam Focus
Quick revision
Revision Zone
Review the key facts, formulas and checks before you move on.What A Wave Is
Sticky Notes · Quick Revision
WAVE
- Travelling disturbance
TRANSFERS
- Energy
DOES NOT TRANSPORT
- Matter permanently
60-second revision
- Wave = travelling disturbance.
- Main transfer = energy.
- Mechanical wave → requires medium.
- EM wave → can travel through vacuum.
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