1&2: Wave Speed and Characteristics in SPH 3U1

Universal Wave Equation

The equation that relates wave speed, wavelength, and period, expressed as v = λ/T.

Period of a wave

The duration between successive crests measured by timing from a reference point.

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests of a wave.

Linear Density

The mass per unit distance of a string, calculated as µ = m/L.

Tension

The force exerted along a string, which affects how effectively the string transmits wave energy.

Factors Affecting Wave Speed

Elements such as intermolecular forces, temperature, linear density, and tension that influence the speed of a wave.

Wave Speed Formula

The formula v = √(FT/µ) used to calculate the speed of a wave on a string.

Vibration

The cyclical motion of an object about an equilibrium point (rest position), e.g. the pendulum in a clock.

Mechanical Wave

The transfer of energy through a material due to vibration.

Medium

The material through which a mechanical wave travels.

Net Motion

The displacement of a particle over a certain time interval; the difference between the particle's initial and final positions.

Transverse Wave

A wave in which the particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of the flow of energy.

Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which particles vibrate parallel to the direction of the flow of energy.

Compressions

Region in a longitudinal wave in which the medium's particles are closer together.

Rarefactions

Region in a longitudinal wave in which the medium's particles are farther apart.

Sound

A form of energy produced by rapidly vibrating objects detectable to the human ear.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium point.

Crest

The maximum point of a transverse wave.

Trough

The minimum point on a transverse wave.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between two similar points in successive identical cycles in a wave, such as from crest to crest or trough to trough.

Phase

In a continuous transverse or longitudinal wave, the x-coordinate of a unique point of the wave.

Phase Shift

A shift of an entire wave along the x-axis with respect to an otherwise identical wave.

In Phase

The state of two identical waves that have the same phase shift.

Out of Phase

The state of two identical waves that have different phase shifts.

Frequency (f)

The number of complete cycles that occur in a unit of time, usually 1 s; measured in hertz (Hz); 1 Hz = 1/s.

Period (T)

The time for a vibrating particle to complete one cycle.

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Motion that repeats itself at regular intervals.