02. Basic waves concepts

LEARNING TARGET

Apply the relationship between wave speed, wavelength and frequency.

ATL FOCUS

Organize and depict information logically

The highest point on a wave (maximum positive displacement) is called a peak or crest

The lowest point on a wave (the maximum negative displacement) is called a trough

The Wavelength of a wave is the length of one complete wave cycle (this is the distance between successive peaks or successive troughs)

The Amplitude of a wave is the maximum disturbance from the rest position 

The period of a wave is the time taken for one complete wave cycle 

The frequency is the number of waves per second

We can use the equation below to calculate the speed of any wave:

Frequency never changes

The frequency of a wave is determined by the frequency of the source that produces the wave. For example if you oscillate an object up and down in water at a frequency of 2Hz (2 cycles per second) then it will produce water waves with a frequency of 2Hz (2 waves per second). Once the wave is produced it will remain at that frequency. If the speed of the waves decreases (maybe because the waves go into shallower water) then the frequency will still be unaltered (the wavelength of the waves must decrease though).

EXTENSION 

(Only complete this is everything else was easy and you want a more of a challenge!)

Use the worksheet below for TEST REVIEW