general waves

Define and give a unit for Amplitude

A wave’s maximum displacement from the equilibrium position (units are m)

Define and give a unit for Frequency

The number of complete oscillations passing through a point per second, (units are Hz)

Define and give a unit for Wavelength

The length of one whole oscillation (e.g. the distance between successive peaks/troughs) (units are m)

Define and give a unit for Phase

The position of a certain point on a wave cycle, (units are radians, degrees or fractions of a cycle)

Define and give a unit for Phase

How much a particle/wave lags behind another particle/wave, (units are radians, degrees or fractions of a cycle)

Define and give a unit for Period

Time taken for one full oscillation, (units are s)

What does it mean if 2 points on a wave are ‘in phase’?

Two points on a wave are in phase if they are both at the same point of the wave cycle, they will have the same displacement and velocity and their phase difference will be a multiple of 360° (2π radians)

What does it mean if 2 points on a wave are ‘completely out of phase’?

Two points are completely out of phase when they’re an odd integer of half cycles apart half cycles apart where one half cycle is 180° (π radians).

What is the equation for wave speed?

c = fλ

How is period related to frequency?

f=1/p (directly inversely proportional)