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17.1 Mechanical Waves

Mechanical Waves: waves that are a disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another. A mechanical wave is created when a source of energy causes a vibration to travel through a medium. There are three types of mechanical waves:

Transverse Waves: a wave that causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels. Example: Rope Shaking

For transverse waves the displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave. A [|ripple on a pond] and a [|wave on a string]are easily visualized transverse waves. || In longitudinal waves the displacement of the medium is parallel to the propagation of the wave. A wave in a "slinky" is a good visualization. [|Sound waves in air] are longitudinal waves.
 * =Transverse Waves=
 * =Longitudinal Waves=

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Surface Wave: a wave that travels along a surface seperating two media. Example: Bobber in water