5.1 Fundamentals of Waves

Oscillating or vibrating system produce waves.​

​Do they have similarities?

​

Amplitude, A = maximum displacement from still position.

Period​, T = time taken for one complete oscillation.

Frequency, f = ​number of complete oscillations in one second.

Wavelength, λ​ = distance between two consecutive crests/troughs.

Wave speed, v = distance travelled per second by a wave profile.​

​

f = 1/T​

​f = 1/ 2 s = 0.5 Hz = 0.5 s^-1

v = λ​f = (10 cm)(0.5 s^-1)

= 5 cm s^-1​

​v = λf

λ = 10 cm

T = 2 s

​ v = 10 cm / 2 s = 5 cm s^-1

​

​v = λ/T

(page 180)​

(page 181)​

​Question no 5 (page 226)

(a) Amplitude = 15 cm = 0.15 m

Period, T = 1/f = 1/5 = 0.2 s

Wavelength, λ ​= 1.2 m ÷ 2 = 0.6 m

​(b) Wave speed, v = Wavelength/Period = 0.6 m / 0.2 s

= 3 m s^-1​