5/3/10
Post date: May 04, 2010 6:8:18 PM
Bell Ringer: What factors influence how fast a wave will move?
Review general wave characteristics, wave speed equation from Friday
Wave speed depends on ...
The characteristics of the medium
How fast the molecules move (related to temperature)
How close the molecules are together (solids have closest packed molecules, so waves typically travel faster in solids than in liquids or gases)
The type of wave
Light waves in air travel much faster than sound waves in air
Sound waves in water travel much faster than water waves (ocean waves)
Wave speed does NOT depend on frequency or wavelength, even though we have the equation wave speed = frequency x wavelength. Wave speed is set by other factors, and frequency and wavelength adjust to keep the wave speed constant for that type of wave and that medium.
Work time for page 304: 1-6 (due tomorrow)