Wave Properties

• Waves may be either transverse or longitudinal
• The ripples on a water surface are an example of a transverse wave
• Longitudinal waves show areas of compression and rarefaction
• Sound waves travelling through air are longitudinal
• Wave

  A) Peak

  B) Trough

  C) Amplitude

  D) Wavelength

  E) Rest Position

  
• The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of a point on a wave away from its undisturbed position
• The wavelength of a wave is the distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave
• The frequency of a wave is the number of waves passing a point each second
• $T=$$\frac{1}{f}$

  • Period (T) in seconds (s)
  • Frequency (f) in hertz (Hz)
• The period of the wave is the time taken for one complete wave to pass a point
• The wave speed is the speed at which the energy is transferred (or the wave moves) through the medium
• $v=$$f\lambda$

  • Wave speed (v) in metres per second (m/s)
  • Frequency (f) in hertz (Hz)
  • Wave length ( $\lambda$) in metres (m)
• Waves can be absorbed or transmitted at the boundary between two different materials