Waves and Sound

Waves transport energy without the movement of matter.

a. Mechanical Waves

• Transverse Waves: The oscillation is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (e.g., waves on a string).
• Longitudinal Waves: The oscillation is in the same direction as wave propagation (e.g., sound waves).

b. Sound

• A longitudinal wave that travels through a medium, creating areas of compression and rarefaction.
• Doppler Effect: The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the wave