Properties of Waves

Question 1

Amplitude

Answer 1

Crests are the high points and represent positive displacement

Troughs are the low points and represent negative displacement

from the equilibrium

The size of the amplitude of a wave is related to the amount of energy the wave carries.

Question 2

Does longitudinal waves have a ampliude?

Answer 2

Longitudinal waves do not have an amplitude because the particles do not displace along a vertical axis

Recall that longitudinal waves have compressions and rarefactions

Compressions are the place on a wave where particles are most densely  packed

Rarefactions are the place where the particles are spaced the farthest
apart

Question 3

wavelength of a longitudinal wave

Answer 3

The distance between two compressions or two rarefactions is called the wavelength
The wavelength is always measured from the middle of one compression to another or one rarefaction to another

Question 4

wavelength of a transverse wave

Answer 4

In a transverse wave, the wavelength is measured in from crest to crest or trough to trough

The wavelength tells us the distance covered by one wave and is reported in meters (m) and denoted by the Greek letter lambda: 𝞴

Question 5

cycle

Answer 5

As a wave passes through a medium it causes the particles to displace

However, when the wave has passed, the particles return to their original position

This is called a cycle

Question 6

frequency

Answer 6

We can measure how many cycles occur in a given amount of time

This is called the frequency and is given in units of cycles per second or hertz

Question 7

Period

Answer 7

Period is the amount of time it takes to complete 1 cycle and is measured in seconds (s)