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.
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.
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.
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.
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: General Properties of Waves
Light travels as waves. Waves can be described by their amplitude, wavelength and frequency. The speed of a wave can be calculated from its frequency and wavelength.
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: 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 Interference
Conduct virtual experiments with water, sound, and light waves to determine the sine wave and patterns created in each.
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.
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Mechanical Waves and Wave Types
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] By watching video clips, doing interactives, and reading text, students discover how mechanical waves transfer energy and how the waves require a medium to propagate...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Seismic Waves: How Earthquakes Move the Earth
Middle schoolers 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...
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.
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.
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.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Seismic Waves
Basic definitions and characteristics of the different wave types, diagrams, and speeds of the waves. Has links to information on seismology, earthquakes, and plate tectonics.
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.
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Waves
Take an interactive quiz over energy waves. After completing the quiz, check your score, and then revisit any incorrect question for further review.
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.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Electromagnetic Waves: Origin and Theory
Discusses the history of the discovery and study of electromagnetism, the scientists who worked on it, the basic principle, how wavelength and frequency are related, and types of electromagnetic waves.
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."