Chapter summary
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8.7 Speed of a transverse wave
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Chapter summary
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A wave is formed when a continuous number of pulses are transmitted through a medium.
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A crest is the highest point a particle in the medium rises to.
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A trough is the lowest point a particle in the medium sinks to.
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In a transverse wave, the particles move perpendicular to the motion of the wave.
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The amplitude (\(A\)) is the maximum distance from equilibrium position to a crest (or trough), or the maximum displacement of a particle in a wave from its position of rest.
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The wavelength (\(λ\)) is the distance between any two adjacent points on a wave that are in phase. It is measured in metres (\(\text{m}\)).
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The period (\(T\)) of a wave is the time it takes a wavelength to pass a fixed point. It is measured in seconds (\(\text{s}\)).
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The frequency (\(f\)) of a wave is how many waves pass a point in a second. It is measured in hertz (\(\text{Hz}\)) or \(\text{s$^{-1}$}\).
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Frequency: \(f = \frac{1}{T}\)
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Period: \(T = \frac{1}{f}\)
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Speed: \(v = f·λ\) or \(v = \frac{λ}{T}\).
Physical Quantities | ||
Quantity | Unit name | Unit symbol |
Amplitude (\(A\)) | metre | \(\text{m}\) |
Wavelength (\(λ\)) | metre | \(\text{m}\) |
Period (\(T\)) | second | \(\text{s}\) |
Frequency (\(f\)) | hertz | Hz (\(\text{s$^{-1}$}\)) |
Wave speed (\(v\)) | metre per second | \(\text{m·s$^{-1}$}\) |
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8.7 Speed of a transverse wave
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