 | In the previous chapter, you learned about many different kinds of oscillators: pendulums, masses on springs, and so on.
What is the difference between an oscillator and a wave?
A wave is an oscillation that travels through space.
Waves are found all around us in nature, musical instruments, technology, and medical and industrial applications.
Waves can reflect, refract, diffract, resonate, and interfere with each other.
In this chapter, you will learn about the physical characteristics of waves and the behaviors associated with wave propagation.
|  | | By the end of this chapter you should be able to
|  | describe waves and wave pulses and provide examples;
| | define amplitude, frequency, wavelength, speed, and phase for a wave and identify each graphically;
| | solve problems involving the speed, frequency, and wavelength of a wave;
| | distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves and provide examples of each;
| | describe wave propagation in various types of media;
| | describe wave behaviors of reflection, refraction, diffraction, and resonance and provide examples of each;
| | describe constructive and destructive interference of waves and provide examples of each;
| | describe standing waves and resonance and provide examples of each; and
| | describe medical applications of waves.
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|  | 15A: Waves
15B: Wave interactions
15C: Interference
15D: Wavelength and standing waves
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