Properties of waves

• What is the definition of amplitude in a wave?

  Maximum displacement from its undisturbed position
• How can you identify the amplitude on a transverse wave?

  It is the furthest point from the undisturbed position
• What is the definition of wavelength?

  Distance from one wave point to the equivalent point on the next wave
• How can you measure the wavelength of a wave?

  By measuring the distance between equivalent points on adjacent waves
• What is the Greek letter that represents wavelength?

  Lambda
• How do you measure wavelength in longitudinal waves?

  From one compression to the next compression
• What is the definition of frequency?

  Number of waves passing a point each second
• What is the unit of frequency?

  Hertz
• How do you calculate the frequency from a wave diagram?

  Count the total number of waves in one second
• If a transverse wave shows five waves in one second, what is its frequency?

  Five Hertz
• If a wave has three waves in one second, what is its frequency?

  Three Hertz
• What is the definition of the period of a wave?

  Time in seconds for one wave to pass a point
• How is the period calculated?

  Period in seconds equals one divided by frequency in Hertz
• If a wave has a frequency of 100 Hertz, what is its period?

  $0.01 \text{ seconds}$
• What are the key features of wave motion?

  • Amplitude
  • Wavelength
  • Frequency
  • Period