Physics Exam - Waves Summary

WAVE DESCRIPTION

  • Crest: Highest vertical point of a wave.

  • Through: Lowest vertical point of a wave.

  • Amplitude: Maximum displacement from the rest position.

  • Wavelength (λ): Distance between two consecutive crests or troughs.

  • Period (T): Time taken for one complete cycle of the wave.

  • Frequency (f): Number of complete waves passing a point in one second.

WAVE SPEED

  • Wave Speed (v): Given by the formula:
      v=distancetimev = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}

  • Related equations:
      - v=f×λv = f \times \lambda
      - T=1fT = \frac{1}{f}
      - If λ\lambda is the wavelength, ff is frequency, and TT is the period.

WAVE FUNCTIONS

  • General wave function:
      y=Asin⁡(kx−ωt)y = A \sin(kx - \omega t)
      - Where:
        - yy: displacement
        - AA: amplitude
        - kk: wave number
        - ω\omega: angular frequency

  • Specific cases:
      - y=Asin⁡(2πx)y = A \sin(2\pi x)
      - y=Asin⁡(3x)y = A \sin(3x)