Chapter summary

Presentation: VPguj

• A wave is formed when a continuous number of pulses are transmitted through a medium.

• A crest is the highest point a particle in the medium rises to.

• A trough is the lowest point a particle in the medium sinks to.

• In a transverse wave, the particles move perpendicular to the motion of the wave.

• The amplitude (\(A\)) is the maximum distance from equilibrium position to a crest (or trough), or the maximum displacement of a particle in a wave from its position of rest.

• The wavelength (\(λ\)) is the distance between any two adjacent points on a wave that are in phase. It is measured in metres (\(\text{m}\)).

• The period (\(T\)) of a wave is the time it takes a wavelength to pass a fixed point. It is measured in seconds (\(\text{s}\)).

• The frequency (\(f\)) of a wave is how many waves pass a point in a second. It is measured in hertz (\(\text{Hz}\)) or \(\text{s$^{-1}$}\).

• Frequency: \(f = \frac{1}{T}\)

• Period: \(T = \frac{1}{f}\)

• Speed: \(v = f·λ\) or \(v = \frac{λ}{T}\).