Properties of Waves

• What is the frequency of a wave?

  The number of waves that pass a fixed point per second
• What is the amplitude of a wave?

  The distance from the centre line to the top of the crest
• What is the wavelength of a wave?

  The distance between one crest of wave and another crest of an identical wave
• What is the period of a wave?

  The time taken for one complete oscillation (in seconds)
• When observing waves (e.g. water waves) What is the amplitude seen as?

  The wave height
• When observing waves (e.g. water waves), what is the period seen as?

  The period is the time it takes for one complete wave to pass a fixed point
• Amplitude indicates the amount of energy a wave is carrying. A wave has a high amplitude. What does this say about the amount of energy it is carrying?

  It is carrying more energy