Wave Motion

Properties of Waves

Trough

Crest

Rest Position

Transverse Wave Vocabulary
crest – where the displace-
ment of the medium is at a
maximum
trough – where the
displacement of the medium
is at a minimum
rest position – where the
medium shows no
disturbance

Properties of Waves

Wavelength

Wavelength

Wavelength

Wavelength
• The distance between

two corresponding
parts of a wave

• Crest-to-crest or

trough-to-trough

Properties of Waves

Amplitude
• The vertical distance

between a peak or a
valley and the resting
position in a
transverse wave

Amplitude

Amplitude

Fuse School: Wave Motion

Properties of Waves

Frequency
•

The number of complete waves (wavelengths)
that pass a given point in a certain amount of
time

•

Number of vibrations per second

•

Measured in units called hertz (Hz)

•

1 vibration per second = 1 Hz

Properties of Waves

Period
•

The time it takes for one
wave cycle to travel

•

Measured in seconds per
wave cycle

Properties of Waves

Speed
• How far the wave travels in

a unit of time, or distance
divided by time

• The speed, wavelength,

and frequency of a wave
are related to each other
by mathematical formulas.

• Unit for speed is meters

per second, or m/s

speed = wavelength x frequency