Wave is defined as the disturbance that moves energy from one location to another without
moving matter. It moves through mediums such as air, water, or solids. Electromagnetic waves,
such as light, may be able to move through a vacuum. There are two categories of waves:
mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves. Examples of mechanical waves include sound
waves and water waves.
Some components of a wave include crest, trough, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and time
period. Wavelength is referred to as the distance between two successive crests or troughs.
Frequency is defined as the number of complete vibrations within a second and its units are
hertz. Time period is the amount of time required for completing one vibration.
Important formulas related to wave include:
v = fλ
Where;
v = velocity of wave
f = frequency
λ = wavelength
f = 1/T
Where;
T = time period
For a simple harmonic wave formula;
y = A sin(ωt)
Where;
A = amplitude
ω = angular frequency
t = time
Mechanical waves have two categories: longitudinal and transverse waves. In longitudinal
waves, particles vibrate along the same direction as that of the waves' propagation. Transverse
waves have particle vibration in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
Basics
A wave is an energy disturbance that travels from one place to another without the transfer of
matter.
Waves transport energy, but the particles of the medium do not travel from one place to
another.
Mechanical waves require a medium (solids, liquids, or gases) to travel.
Electromagnetic waves do not require any medium to travel, and they can travel even in a
vacuum.
Sound waves are mechanical waves, whereas light waves are electromagnetic waves.
In transverse waves, particles vibrate at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.
Particles vibrate along the direction of wave propagation in longitudinal waves.
The highest point in a wave is known as crest.
The lowest point in a wave is known as trough.
The distance between two successive crests or troughs in a wave is known as wavelength (λ).
The number of complete waves formed in one second is known as frequency (f).
The time taken by a wave for one complete vibration is known as time period (T).
The amplitude of a wave is the maximum distance moved by a particle from its mean position.
moving matter. It moves through mediums such as air, water, or solids. Electromagnetic waves,
such as light, may be able to move through a vacuum. There are two categories of waves:
mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves. Examples of mechanical waves include sound
waves and water waves.
Some components of a wave include crest, trough, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and time
period. Wavelength is referred to as the distance between two successive crests or troughs.
Frequency is defined as the number of complete vibrations within a second and its units are
hertz. Time period is the amount of time required for completing one vibration.
Important formulas related to wave include:
v = fλ
Where;
v = velocity of wave
f = frequency
λ = wavelength
f = 1/T
Where;
T = time period
For a simple harmonic wave formula;
y = A sin(ωt)
Where;
A = amplitude
ω = angular frequency
t = time
Mechanical waves have two categories: longitudinal and transverse waves. In longitudinal
waves, particles vibrate along the same direction as that of the waves' propagation. Transverse
waves have particle vibration in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
Basics
A wave is an energy disturbance that travels from one place to another without the transfer of
matter.
Waves transport energy, but the particles of the medium do not travel from one place to
another.
Mechanical waves require a medium (solids, liquids, or gases) to travel.
Electromagnetic waves do not require any medium to travel, and they can travel even in a
vacuum.
Sound waves are mechanical waves, whereas light waves are electromagnetic waves.
In transverse waves, particles vibrate at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.
Particles vibrate along the direction of wave propagation in longitudinal waves.
The highest point in a wave is known as crest.
The lowest point in a wave is known as trough.
The distance between two successive crests or troughs in a wave is known as wavelength (λ).
The number of complete waves formed in one second is known as frequency (f).
The time taken by a wave for one complete vibration is known as time period (T).
The amplitude of a wave is the maximum distance moved by a particle from its mean position.
