Progressive waves

A progressive wave is

A wave that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring the medium itself

Properties of a progressive wave

Displacement

Amplitude

Wavelength

Time period

Frequency

Speed

Wave equations

f=1/T

λ = v/f

Phase difference definition

The phase difference between two waves is a measure of how much a point or a wave is in front or behind another

Phase difference

• Phase difference is measured in fractions of a wavelength, degrees or radians

• The phase difference can be calculated from two different points on the same wave or the same point on two different waves

• The phase difference between two points can be described as:

  • In phase is 360° or 2π radians

  • In anti-phase is 180° or π radians