M8D1: Waves in a Medium
Choose an application of waves from a field of science or engineering other than physics. Your examples may be
taken from, but are not limited to: sound engineering, instrument making, medical imaging, non-destructive testing,
oil explorations, earthquake prediction, and Tsunami warning systems. Answer the following questions about your
application of waves.
• Briefly describe your example, in your own words.
• What is the medium, if any, in which the waves propagate?
• Are the waves in this application transverse, longitudinal, or both? If either transverse or longitudinal waves are
missing from the application, explain why.
• On what parameters of the medium (pressure, string tension, temperature, mass, density, etc.) does the wave
speed depend?
• What is the relationship between the wavelength, the frequency, and the wave speed for all waves?