Mechanical Waves

The photo shown to the right is an example of a sound wave.  Sound waves can be longitudinal or transverse.  

In the environment, we can make echos, which is when sound waves bounce off surfaces and come back so we can hear them again.  If it is a louder echo, the wave will have a larger amplitude, and if the echo is softer the wave will have a smaller amplitude.  If the echo is more high pitched the wave will have a smaller wavelength and a higher frequency, but if the wave is more low pitched then it will have a larger wavelength and a lower frequency.

Also, fire alarms produce sounds when there is smoke around, and that affects the way we live our lives if there is a fire.   If the alarm is louder, the wave will have a higher amplitude, and if the alarm is softer, the wave will have a lower amplitude.  If the alarm is more high pitched, the wave will have a smaller wavelength and a higher frequency, and if the alarm is more low pitched, the wave will have a bigger wavelength and a lower frequency.

People can also listen to music, which is also created by sound waves.  If the music is louder, that means the wave has a higher amplitude, and if the music is softer, that means the wave has a lower amplitude.  The pitch of the music depends on the frequency of the wave.  If the music is more high pitched, that means the wave has a shorter wavelength and a higher frequency, and if the music is more low pitched, then the wave has a longer wavelength and a lower frequency.