Wave Properties

Amplitude, Wavelength, Frequency, Wave Speed

All waves have these properties, regardless of their classification

• Amplitude is the maximum distance the particles vibrate from the rest position.

• Rest position is the place where the particles of a medium stay when there is no disturbance. The taller the wave = larger amplitude

• The taller the wave = larger amplitude

• Small amplitude = low energy

• Large amplitude = high energy

• Measured from the rest position to the crest or trough of the wave

• It is difficult to show amplitude on this wave.

• Amplitude of a longitudinal wave is related to how tightly packed the compressions are.

• The tighter the packing = greater amplitude

• Wavelength is the distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave

• The distance between two adjacent crests

• OR the distance between two adjacent troughs

• The distance between two adjacent rarefactions

• OR the distance between two adjacent compressions

• The shorter the wavelength the greater the energy

• OR the longer the wavelength the lower the energy

• They are inversely proportional

• The symbol for wavelength is the Greek letter lamda--> λ

• The number of vibrations (waves, cycles) that occur per second

• Unit is Hertz (Hz)

• 1 Hz = one wave per second

• High frequency carry high energy

• Frequency is measured by the number of crests OR troughs that pass a certain point over a certain amount of time

• To find the frequency, count the number of compressions or rarefactions.

• Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels

• The speed depends on the medium in which the wave is traveling

• Wave speed = wavelength x frequency