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Waves: properties, types and equations

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Explainer Video

Tutor: Madeleine

Summary

Waves: properties, types and equations

In a nutshell

The properties of a wave are amplitude, wavelength, frequency, time period and wave speed. Wave speed can be related to frequency and wavelength using the wave speed equation. Transverse and longitudinal waves behave differently.

Equations

Word Equation	Symbol equation
$wave \space speed = frequency \times wavelength$	$v= f \times \lambda$
$period = \frac{1}{frequency}$	$T = \frac{1}{f}$

Variable Definitions

quantity name	symbol	Unit Name	unit
$wave \space speed$	$v$	$metre\space per\space second$	$m/s$
$frequency$	$f$	$hertz$	$Hz$
$wavelength$	$\lambda$	$metre$	$m$
$period$	$T$	$second$	$s$

Properties of a wave

A transverse wave is a wave that undulates at right angles to the direction it is travelling in.

Physics; Waves and the electromagnetic spectrum; KS4 Year 10; Waves: properties, types and equations

1.	Oscillations
2.	Trough
3.	Wavelength
4.	Crest
5.	Amplitude
6.	Direction of travel/energy transfer

Crest	The highest point of a wave
Trough	The lowest point of a wave
Equilibrium position	The vertical middle of the wave - the undisturbed position
Amplitude	The maximum height of a wave - distance from the equilibrium position to a crest or trough
Wavelength	The length of one wave - distance from one crest/trough to the next crest/trough
Frequency	The number of wavelengths passing through a point per second
Wave speed	The speed of a wave in the direction it is travelling in

Time period

The period of a wave is how long a wavelength takes to travel through a point. This can be found using the equation

$period = \frac{1}{frequency}\\ \ \\ T = \frac{1}{f}$

Tip: Rearrange this equation to make frequency the subject! You can use this in questions to work out the frequency when only given the time period.

Transverse and longitudinal

The two types of wave are transverse and longitudinal.

Transverse waves oscillate (undulate) perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. The direction of energy transfer is the same as the direction the wave travels in.

Example

Electromagnetic wave or a wave on a string.

Longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer. They are made up of compressions and rarefactions. Compressions are where the particles in the vibrating medium are closest together. Rarefactions are where the particles are furthest apart.

1.	Wavelength
2.	Compression
3.	Rarefaction
4.	Direction of travel and energy transfer
5.	Oscillations

Example

Sound wave or a P-type seismic wave.

Wave speed equation

Frequency and wavelength can be related together by the wave speed equation. The wave speed can be described as the speed of the wave, as well as the speed at which energy is transferred.

$wave \space speed = frequency \times wavelength\\ \ \\v = f\times \lambda$

Example

A wave has a frequency of $5\,Hz$ and a wavelength of $20\,cm$ . What is its wave speed?

First, write down the quantities given and check they are in the correct form:

$f = 5\,Hz\\ \ \\ \lambda = 20 \,cm = \frac{20}{100} = 0.2\,m$

Next, write down the equation you will need to use:

$v = f \times \lambda$ 

Then, substitute the values into the equation:

$v = 5 \times 0.2 = 1$

Make sure to include the units:

$wave\ speed, v = 1\, m/s$ 

The wave speed of the wave is $\underline{1\,m/s}$ .

Learn with Basics

Length:

Unit 1

The uses of sound waves

Unit 2

Sound waves

Jump Ahead

Optional

Unit 3

Waves: properties, types and equations

Final Test

Create an account to complete the exercises

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is wave speed formula?

The wave speed formula is wave speed = frequency x wavelength. Frequency is measured in Hertz and wavelength is measured in metres.

What are the 2 types of waves called?

The two types of waves are called transverse and longitudinal.

What are the 5 properties of waves?

The properties of a wave are amplitude, wavelength, frequency, time period and wave speed. Wave speed can be related to frequency and wavelength using the wave speed equation.

Home

Physics

Waves and radioactivity

Waves: properties, types and equations

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Select an option

Physics practicals

Investigating the specific heat capacity

Investigating the resistance of a length of wire

Investigating I-V characteristics

Investigating series and parallel circuits

Investigating the densities of solids and liquids

Investigating elasticity

Investigating force and acceleration

Investigating waves in different materials

Investigating infrared radiation

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Magnetism and magnetic fields

Electromagnetism and solenoids

Motor effect and electromagnetic induction - Higher

Waves

Waves: properties, types and equations

Refraction and ray diagrams

The electromagnetic spectrum

Uses of electromagnetic waves

Forces

Forces and vector diagrams

Resultant forces - Higher

Gravity and weight calculations

Elasticity and the spring constant

Speed, velocity and acceleration

Distance-time and velocity-time graphs

Newton's laws

Friction and terminal velocity

Stopping, thinking and braking distances

Momentum calculations - Higher

Atomic structure

The structure of the atom

Electron energy levels and ionisation

Isotopes and radioactive decay

Half-life and calculating radioactive decay

Irradiation and contamination

Particle model of matter

States of matter and changes of state

Temperature and pressure of gases

Calculating density

Specific latent heat

Electricity

Electrical charge and circuits

Potential difference and resistance

Components and circuit devices

Series circuits

Parallel circuits

Energy and power in circuits

Household electricity

The National Grid

Energy

Energy stores and transfers

Mechanical energy stores

Specific heat capacity

Calculating work done and power

Conduction and convection

Energy efficiency

Renewable and non-renewable resources

Working scientifically

The scientific method

Science communication and ethics

Evaluating risks and hazards

Collecting data

Processing and presenting data

Units and equations

Structuring a scientific report and drawing conclusions

Uncertainties and evaluations

Practical skills

Measuring techniques

Safety and ethics

Designing experiments

Methods of heating substances

Working with electronics

Random sampling and sampling methods

Comparing results using percentage change

Explainer Video

Tutor: Madeleine

Summary

Waves: properties, types and equations

In a nutshell

Equations

Word Equation	Symbol equation
$wave \space speed = frequency \times wavelength$	$v= f \times \lambda$
$period = \frac{1}{frequency}$	$T = \frac{1}{f}$

Variable Definitions

quantity name	symbol	Unit Name	unit
$wave \space speed$	$v$	$metre\space per\space second$	$m/s$
$frequency$	$f$	$hertz$	$Hz$
$wavelength$	$\lambda$	$metre$	$m$
$period$	$T$	$second$	$s$

Properties of a wave

A transverse wave is a wave that undulates at right angles to the direction it is travelling in.

1.	Oscillations
2.	Trough
3.	Wavelength
4.	Crest
5.	Amplitude
6.	Direction of travel/energy transfer

Crest	The highest point of a wave
Trough	The lowest point of a wave
Equilibrium position	The vertical middle of the wave - the undisturbed position
Amplitude	The maximum height of a wave - distance from the equilibrium position to a crest or trough
Wavelength	The length of one wave - distance from one crest/trough to the next crest/trough
Frequency	The number of wavelengths passing through a point per second
Wave speed	The speed of a wave in the direction it is travelling in

Time period

The period of a wave is how long a wavelength takes to travel through a point. This can be found using the equation

$period = \frac{1}{frequency}\\ \ \\ T = \frac{1}{f}$

Tip: Rearrange this equation to make frequency the subject! You can use this in questions to work out the frequency when only given the time period.

Transverse and longitudinal

The two types of wave are transverse and longitudinal.

Transverse waves oscillate (undulate) perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. The direction of energy transfer is the same as the direction the wave travels in.

Example

Electromagnetic wave or a wave on a string.

1.	Wavelength
2.	Compression
3.	Rarefaction
4.	Direction of travel and energy transfer
5.	Oscillations

Example

Sound wave or a P-type seismic wave.

Wave speed equation

Frequency and wavelength can be related together by the wave speed equation. The wave speed can be described as the speed of the wave, as well as the speed at which energy is transferred.

$wave \space speed = frequency \times wavelength\\ \ \\v = f\times \lambda$

Example

A wave has a frequency of $5\,Hz$ and a wavelength of $20\,cm$ . What is its wave speed?

First, write down the quantities given and check they are in the correct form:

$f = 5\,Hz\\ \ \\ \lambda = 20 \,cm = \frac{20}{100} = 0.2\,m$

Next, write down the equation you will need to use:

$v = f \times \lambda$ 

Then, substitute the values into the equation:

$v = 5 \times 0.2 = 1$

Make sure to include the units:

$wave\ speed, v = 1\, m/s$ 

The wave speed of the wave is $\underline{1\,m/s}$ .

Learn with Basics

Length:

Unit 1

The uses of sound waves

Unit 2

Sound waves

Jump Ahead

Optional

Unit 3

Waves: properties, types and equations

Final Test

Create an account to complete the exercises

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is wave speed formula?

The wave speed formula is wave speed = frequency x wavelength. Frequency is measured in Hertz and wavelength is measured in metres.

What are the 2 types of waves called?

The two types of waves are called transverse and longitudinal.

What are the 5 properties of waves?

The properties of a wave are amplitude, wavelength, frequency, time period and wave speed. Wave speed can be related to frequency and wavelength using the wave speed equation.

Waves: properties, types and equations

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Physics practicals

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Waves

Forces

Atomic structure

Particle model of matter

Electricity

Energy

Working scientifically

Practical skills

Explainer Video

Summary

Waves: properties, types and equations

​​In a nutshell

​​Word Equation

Symbol equation

quantity name

​​symbol

Unit Name

​​unit

Properties of a wave

Time period

Transverse and longitudinal

Example

Example

Wave speed equation

Example

Learn with Basics

Unit 1

The uses of sound waves

Unit 2

Sound waves

Jump Ahead

Unit 3

Waves: properties, types and equations

Final Test

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is wave speed formula?

What are the 2 types of waves called?

What are the 5 properties of waves?

Waves: properties, types and equations

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Physics practicals

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Waves

Forces

Atomic structure

Particle model of matter

Electricity

Energy

Working scientifically

Practical skills

Explainer Video

Summary

Waves: properties, types and equations

​​In a nutshell

​​Word Equation

Symbol equation

quantity name

​​symbol

Unit Name

​​unit

Properties of a wave

Time period

Transverse and longitudinal

Example

Example

Wave speed equation

Example

Learn with Basics

In a nutshell

Word Equation

symbol

unit

In a nutshell

Word Equation

symbol

unit