1. Characteristics of Waves
Wavelength, Frequency, Speed, Period, and Amplitude

2. Waves Wave – a disturbance that transmits energy. All waves:
are caused by vibrations
travel outward from the source of vibration
have a wavelength, frequency, speed, period, and amplitude

3. Waves Different types of waves: Mechanical wave Electromagnetic wave
Example: Sound or seismic waves
Travels through matter
Caused by vibrating matter
Electromagnetic wave
Example: Light
Can travel through vacuum
Caused by vibrating charges

4. Waves Disturbance can move in two ways: Transverse wave
Disturbance is perpendicular to direction of wave motion
Longitudinal (or compressional) wave
Disturbance is parallel to direction of wave motion

5. Water Waves: Both Transverse and Longitudinal

6. Properties of Waves Wavelength ()
Distance from one wave crest to the next.
SI Unit: meters

7. Wavelength  

8. Wavelength 
High density
Low density 

9. Properties of Waves Frequency (f )
No. of waves that pass a fixed point per unit of time.
SI Unit: s-1 or Hertz (Hz)

10. Properties of Waves Velocity (v) How fast a wave travels. v = f* 
SI Unit: m/s

11. Properties of Waves Period (T) Amplitude (A) Demo: Sound Waves Applet
Time required for one complete wave to pass.
Inverse of frequency
T = 1/f
SI Unit: s
Amplitude (A)
Maximum displacement of wave
Demo: Sound Waves Applet

12. Amplitude A A

13. Amplitude
Higher Amplitude
Lower Amplitude

14. Waves
What is the frequency of a wave whose speed is 400 m/s and whose wavelength is 20 meters?
v = f
(400 m/s) = (20 m)f
f = 20 Hz

15. Waves
What is the period of a wave whose speed is 550 m/s and whose wavelength is 50. m?
v = f
f = v/
T = 1/f
T = /v = (50. m)/(550 m/s) = .091 s

16. Waves
A certain wave has a frequency of 445 Hz and a wavelength of 2.20 meters. How fast is the wave traveling?
v = f
v = (445 Hz)(2.20 m)
v = 979 m/s

17. Waves
A certain wave has a period of 3.15 seconds and a wavelength of 500. meters. How fast is the wave moving?
v = f
f = 1/T
f = 1/3.15 s = Hz
v = (500. m)(0.317 Hz)
v = 159 m/s