Waves Basics

What is a wave?

A transfer of energy from one place to another without transferring matter

What is an oscillation?

A repeated back-and-forth movement about a fixed position

What is amplitude?

Maximum displacement from the equilibrium position

What is wavelength?

Distance between two identical points on consecutive waves (crest to crest or compression to compression)

What is frequency?

Number of waves passing a point per second (Hz)

What is wave speed?

Speed at which energy is transferred by a wave

What is the wave equation?

What is the unit of wave speed?

Metres per second (m/s)

What is the unit of frequency?

Hertz (Hz)

What is the unit of wavelength?

Metres (m)

What does equilibrium position mean?

The rest position of particles when no wave is present

What is a complete wave cycle?

One full oscillation of a wave

What does energy transfer mean in waves?

Energy is carried through the medium without the particles moving overall