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)