Waves and their properties

Seite 1

Sound waves are longitudinal. The direction of vibration of individual air molecules is the same as the direction of wave. In transverse waves the direction of vibration is at a right angle to the direction of travel of the wave.

Amplitude:

Distance from the middle to the top (crest) or bottom (trough)of a wave

Symbol is A

Unit depends on the wave (metres or volts)

Wavelength:

Distance from one point of a wave to the same point on the next wave

Symbol is lambda

Unit is metres, m

Frequency:

Number of waves, or oscillations, per second

Symbol is F

Unit is hertz, Hz

Time period:

The time for one wave to pass a given point

Symbol is T

Unit is seconds, s

Wave velocity (m/s) = frequency(Hz) x wavelength (m)

How do you measure the velocity of ripples?