6.1.2-3 - Properties & Reflection of Waves

What is a wave’s amplitude?

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

What is wavelength?

• The distance from a point on a wave to the same position on the adjacent wave.

• Most commonly peak to peak or trough to trough.

What is the frequency of a wave?

The number of waves that pass a given point each second.

What is the unit used for frequency?

hertz (Hz)

What is meant by a frequency of 200 Hz?

200 waves pass a given point each second.

What is wave speed?

The speed at which the wave moves or at which energy is transferred through a medium.

What does a wave transfer?

energy

State the equation used to calculate wave speed. Give appropriate units.

• wave speed = frequency × wavelength

• speed (m/s), frequency (Hz), wavelength (m)

What word is used to describe when a wave bounces off a surface?

reflection