Other
Transverse and Longitudinal Wave Propagation in an Elastic Medium
Extensive information about how waves behave in an elastic medium. Covers different types of waves, their characteristics and behavior, the anatomy of the ear, the speed of sound in different media, the parts of a wave, and wave phenomena.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Types of Waves: Mechanical Wave
[Free Registration/Login Required] Move the points to change the frequency and amplitude of the waves while making the waves transverse or longitudinal according to the labels.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: What Is a Wave?
This interactive activity adapted from the University of Utah's ASPIRE Lab provides an overview of the characteristics and properties of various types of waves, including light waves, sound waves, and water waves.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Faultline: P and S Waves
The different types of earthquake waves are discussed and illustrated. Features geologist video clip.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Characteristics of Waves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers three types of mechanical waves - transverse, longitudinal, and surface - and their characteristics. Includes labeled illustrations and two video animations.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Waves and Wave Properties
Students learn about the types of waves and how they change direction, as well as basic wave properties such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude and speed. During the presentation of lecture information on wave characteristics and...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Physical Science: Waves and Sound
In this module, students investigate the properties and behavior of different types of waves.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Waves Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This guide gives a detailed overview of mechanical waves and the characteristics of waves. Covers wave behavior, including types of interference, resonance, and the...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Wave on a String
Students can observe the properties of a wave with different variables. Students can experiment with the type of end, damping factor, and tension in the string. Possible teacher lesson plans are included at the bottom of the page.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Seismic Waves: How Earthquakes Move the Earth
Students learn about the types of seismic waves produced by earthquakes and how they move the Earth. The dangers of earthquakes are presented as well as the necessity for engineers to design structures for earthquake-prone areas that are...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Seismic Waves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The seismic waves that emanate from earthquakes include body waves and surface waves. Learn how scientists use seismic waves to learn about the Earth's interior.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Wave Interference
Conduct virtual experiments with water, sound, and light waves to determine the sine wave and patterns created in each.
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: Why Do Scientists Think That Light and Sound Are Waves?
Light travels as transverse waves and can travel through a vacuum. Sound travels as longitudinal waves and needs to travel through a solid, liquid or gas. Read about the properties of light and of sound, and learn the differences between...
Other
Matter Project: Seismic Waves
Seismic waves are studied to better understand the ground beneath us, the layers of Earth and points of interest for earthquakes. Better understand the types of waves, what substances they may travel through and how, and gain a clearer...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Types of Electromagnetic Waves
Kids learn about the types of electromagnetic waves in the science of physics including microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, radio, x-rays, and gamma rays.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Wave Shape: Lesson 5
This lesson will introduce the shape of waves, including amplitude and frequency. It will also describe how the shape of waves changes from one type to the next. It is 5 of 5 in the series titled "Wave Shape."
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Young scholars learn the basics of the electromagnetic spectrum and how various types of electromagnetic waves are related in terms of wavelength and energy. In addition, they are introduced to the various types of waves that make up the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Electromagnetic Waves: The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Photons
An article that discusses the coupling of an electric field with a magnetic field to create electromagnetic waves. Article also discusses how different types of electromagnetic waves have different wavelengths which forms the...
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Ejs Reflection and Refraction Between Taut Strings Model
In this simulation, two strings with different densities are held tautly as a wave pulses along them. Variables can be changed to alter the relative densities of the strings, as well as the type of wave pulse.
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Big Wave
Investigate the behavior of a string of rubber bands and clips, and discover why it produces patterns of movement called waves. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what causes different types of waves.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Mechanical Wave
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What a mechanical wave is and what it travels through, and different types of mechanical waves.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Wind Waves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How winds form ocean waves.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Wind Waves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Wind picks up water and forms ocean waves that travel along the surface.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Waves, Sound and Light: Longitudinal Pulse
The animation portrays a medium as a series of particles connected by springs. In this type of longitudinal wave the particles of the medium vibrate in a direction parallel to the direction of energy transport.