Terminology

• Crest:

  • The highest point on a wave
• Trough:

  • The lowest point on a wave
• Amplitude:

  • The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position
• In Phase:

  • Points on the wave which move identically
• Wavelength:

  • The distance between two successive points in phase
• Exactly out of Phase:

  • When two points move in opposite directions at all times
• Frequency:

  • The number of wavelengths which pass a point each second
  • f = number of wavelengths/ time
  • f = 1/T
  • Unit: Hertz (Hz)
• Period:

  • The time taken for one wavelength to pass a point
  • T = 1/f
  • Units: Seconds (s)