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Transverse Waves (continued).
Below is a picture
of a transverse wave.
The amplitude of
the wave
is measured from the peak (or trough)
to the mid-point.
Amplitude can be defined as
"the maximum
displacement from the average
position".
Amplitude is a measure of how much energy
the wave has.
The wavelength is
the distance between two peaks
or the distance between two troughs.
Wavelength can be defined as
"the distance the wave
has traveled during one complete cycle".
Wavelength is given the symbol l
(Greek lambda,
pronounced lam-der),
and is measured in metres because it is a distance.
Frequency is
defined as
"the number of complete cycles
(complete waves) in one second".
Hertz is the unit of frequency
(symbol Hz).
1 Hertz = 1 cycle per second.
The period of a wave
is defined as
"the time taken for one complete cycle".
The period = 1 ÷
frequency.
This can be rearranged to give
Frequency = 1 ÷
period.
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Copyright © 2007 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.