Wave Properties + Behaviour

What is amplitude?

The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its undisturbed position.

What is wavelength?

The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave.

What is frequency?

The number of complete waves passing a point each second.

What is the period of a wave?

The time taken for one complete oscillation.

What is wave speed?

The speed at which energy is transferred by a wave.

What is the unit of amplitude?

Metres (m).

What is the unit of wavelength?

Metres (m).

What is the unit of frequency?

Hertz (Hz).

What does 1 Hz mean?

One complete oscillation per second.

What is the unit of period?

Seconds (s).

What is the unit of wave speed?

Metres per second (m/s).

How is wavelength measured on a transverse wave?

Between two adjacent crests or two adjacent troughs.

How is wavelength measured on a longitudinal wave?

Between the centres of two adjacent compressions or rarefactions.

How is amplitude measured on a transverse wave diagram?

From the equilibrium position to a crest or trough, not from crest to trough.

What happens to the period when frequency increases?

The period decreases.

What happens to frequency when the period increases?

Frequency decreases.

What happens to wavelength when frequency increases but wave speed remains constant?

Wavelength decreases.

What happens to wavelength when frequency decreases but wave speed remains constant?

Wavelength increases.

What happens to wave speed when frequency increases in the same medium?

Wave speed generally remains constant, while wavelength decreases.

Does a greater amplitude necessarily mean a greater wave speed?

No, amplitude does not directly determine wave speed.

What does increasing the amplitude of a wave generally increase?

The energy transferred by the wave.

What is a wavefront?

A line joining points on a wave that are at the same stage of oscillation.

What do closely spaced wavefronts represent?

A shorter wavelength.