Chapter summary

Presentation: VPguj

• A wave is formed when a continuous number of pulses are transmitted through a medium.

• A crest is the highest point a particle in the medium rises to.

• A trough is the lowest point a particle in the medium sinks to.

• In a transverse wave, the particles move perpendicular to the motion of the wave.

• The amplitude ($A$) is the maximum distance from equilibrium position to a crest (or trough), or the maximum displacement of a particle in a wave from its position of rest.

• The wavelength ($λ$) is the distance between any two adjacent points on a wave that are in phase. It is measured in metres ($\text{m}$).

• The period ($T$) of a wave is the time it takes a wavelength to pass a fixed point. It is measured in seconds ($\text{s}$).

• The frequency ($f$) of a wave is how many waves pass a point in a second. It is measured in hertz ($\text{Hz}$) or $\text{s$^{-1}$}$.

• Frequency: $f = \frac{1}{T}$

• Period: $T = \frac{1}{f}$

• Speed: $v = f·λ$ or $v = \frac{λ}{T}$.