Wave Property Definitions

Amplitude: The distance between an oscillating objects natural position and its maximum displacement during an oscillation. Symbol A or ym. Units are meters (m).

Frequency: The number of oscillations per second. Symbol f. Units are 1/second (s-1) or Hertz (Hz).

Period: The time taken for one oscillation. Symbol T. Units are seconds (s). Period = 1/Frequency

Wavelength: Is the distance (parallel to the direction of the wave's travel) between repetitions of the shape of the wave. Symbol l. Units are meters (m).

Velocity: The distance traveled by a wave shape divided by the time taken to travel that distance. Also called wave speed. Symbol v. Units are meters/second (ms-1). Velocity = Frequency ´ Wavelength.

Illustration of wavelength and amplitude for a transverse wave

Waves A and B differ in amplitude. Waves A and C differ in wavelength and frequency. How does wave D differ from the others?



Illustration of wave speed. When 1 second has elapsed a wave at A will have moved two wavelengths to the right. The wave speed or velocity is two wavelengths per second or 1.0 m/s.