Amplitude- Maximum displacement of the medium from its rest position
The more energy the wave has the more medium will be compressed or will be displaced
More energy the wave has the greater is its amplitude
Crest- higher part of wave
Trough- lower part of wave
Frequency- The number of complete cycles per unit time for a periodic motion
The number of complete cycles in a given time
waves frequency equals the frequency of the vibrating source producing the wave
measured in: Hertz (Hz)
Wavelength- Distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle of wave
Increasing the frequency of a wave decreases its wavelength
Speed- Ratio of the distance an object moves to the amount of time an object moves
If you assume that waves are traveling at a constant spped, then wavelength is inveresely proportional to frequency
Speed can change if it enters a medium or if pressure and/or temperature changes
Unit for speed: meters/second
1Hz = 1/s
Formula to find speed: speed = wavelength x frequency
ex) One end of a rope is vibrated to produce a wave with a wavelength of 0.25 meters and the frequency is 3.0 Hz.
speed = 0.25m x 3.0 Hz
0.25m x 3.0 1/s
speed = 0.75 m/s
17.2 Properties of Mechanical Waves Notes
Amplitude- Maximum displacement of the medium from its rest position
Frequency- The number of complete cycles per unit time for a periodic motion
Wavelength- Distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle of wave
Speed- Ratio of the distance an object moves to the amount of time an object moves
- If you assume that waves are traveling at a constant spped, then wavelength is inveresely proportional to frequency
- Speed can change if it enters a medium or if pressure and/or temperature changes
- Unit for speed: meters/second
- 1Hz = 1/s
Formula to find speed: speed = wavelength x frequencyex) One end of a rope is vibrated to produce a wave with a wavelength of 0.25 meters and the frequency is 3.0 Hz.
speed = 0.25m x 3.0 Hz
0.25m x 3.0 1/s
speed = 0.75 m/s