Waves are among the most common phenomena in nature. Waves breaking in the ocean, sound, light, microwaves, radio, or the motion of a guitar cord or a drum are all forms of waves. Such diversity makes finding common properties a challenge but, in general, waves can be explained as a disturbance that moves from one place to another place. In most cases, the disturbance propagates through a medium (even though electromagnetic waves such as light, radio, or microwaves can travel through empty space), but the medium itself does not move in the same way as the wave. In this Activity, you will investigate the energy of a wave and the motion of the medium through which a wave travels.

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Type Book ChapterPub Date 9/20/2011Stock # PB298X3_11a

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