Properties of Waves
The following are the primary characteristics of waves:
- Amplitude – A wave is a form of energy transmission. The amplitude of a wave is its height, which is commonly measured in meters. It is proportional to the quantity of energy transported by a wave.
- Wavelength – A wavelength is a distance between identical locations in adjacent cycles of crests of a wave. In addition, it is measured in meters.
- Period – A wave’s period is the amount of time it takes a particle on a medium to complete one complete vibrational cycle. Because the period is a unit of time, it is measured in seconds or minutes.
- Frequency – The number of waves passing a spot in a certain amount of time is referred to as the frequency of a wave. The hertz (Hz) unit of frequency measures one wave every second.
The frequency’s reciprocal is the period, and vice versa.
Period=1 / Frequency
OR
Frequency = 1 / Period
- Speed – The speed of an object refers to how quickly it moves and is usually stated as the distance traveled divided by the time it takes to travel. The distance traveled by a specific point on the wave (crest) in a given amount of time is referred to as the wave’s speed. A wave’s speed is thus measured in meters per second or m/s.
Check: Properties of Waves
Introduction to Waves – Definition, Types, Properties
A wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance (change from equilibrium) of one or more quantities in physics, mathematics, and related subjects, commonly described by a wave equation.
At least two field quantities in the wave medium are involved in physical waves. Periodic waves occur when variables oscillate periodically around an equilibrium (resting) value at a specific frequency.
A traveling wave occurs when the entire waveform moves in one direction; a standing wave occurs when two superimposed periodic waves move in opposite directions. The amplitude of vibration in a standing wave features nulls at some points when the wave amplitude seems reduced or even zero.
Table of Content
- Wave
- Characteristics of Waves
- Types of Waves
- Formula for Speed of Wave
- Properties of Waves
- Sample Problems