Types of Wave Energy

Wave motion arises from the shifting of energy. That energy may be in a photon, in a water wave or a solid medium. It can be from oscillation between stored energy and kinetic energy, or strictly from kinetic energy and the resulting collisions.

Longitudinal vs. Transverse

The two types of motion in mechanical waves (those requiring a physical medium) are longitudinal and transverse, the former moving in the direction of the wave motion, the latter perpendicular to it. One reason for transverse motion is the buildup of gravitational potential energy, such as water waves.

Water Waves

The energy of water waves is an oscillation between potential and kinetic energy. The potential energy of a water wave makes the wave drop. The kinetic energy pushes water sideways to bunch up into other wave peaks with stored potential energy.

Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are waves that require no medium. Their energy is delivered in packets of energy, as photons, with energy abiding by the equation E=hf, where f is the frequency of the wave and h is Planck's constant.

Acoustic Waves

Sound waves travel through air, water and solids. They arise from the sudden compression of a substance. Its loudness is measured by "intensity," the average rate per unit area at which energy is transmitted by the wave.

Earthquake Waves

Earthquakes are a form of wave energy transmitted through bedrock. The strength of the waves' energy is measured with a device called a seismograph in terms of units on the Richter scale.

References

• Physics Classroom

Resources

• Kettering: Wave Motion Animations