Waves Basics

Wave

Disturbances transferring energy through a medium or space without permanently displacing the medium.

Mechanical Waves

Waves requiring a medium to propagate, like sound waves, water waves, and seismic waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves traveling through a vacuum and not needing a medium, like light waves, radio waves, and X-rays.

Longitudinal Waves

Particles oscillate parallel to wave propagation, e.g., sound waves.

Transverse Waves

Particles oscillate perpendicular to wave propagation, e.g., light waves.

Crest

The highest point of a wave

Trough

The lowest point of a wave

Amplitude

Maximum displacement from the rest position, indicating wave energy.

Wavelength (λ)

Distance between consecutive crests or troughs.

Frequency (f)

Number of wave cycles passing a point per unit time.

Period (T)

Time for one complete wave cycle to pass a point, inversely related to frequency.

Wave Speed (v)

Rate of wave travel through a medium, calculated as v = f x λ.

Equation for Wave Speed

v = f x λ,

Equation for Period(Time)

T = 1/f