What a Wave Is
Part of the Optics, Waves and Modern Physics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 18 of 53.
A wave carries energy, not matter: each bit of the rope only moves up and down.
Transverse: across the wave (a rope). Longitudinal: along it (sound).
λ: crest to crest. A: crest above the middle. T: one wave passing. f = 1/T.
v = fλ = λ / T
Challenge
A wave on a rope has frequency 5 Hz and wavelength 0.4 m. How fast v does it travel?
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Optics, Waves and Modern Physics
1Reflection and Refraction
Reflection of LightThe Refractive IndexSnell's LawTotal Internal ReflectionDispersionApparent DepthRecap - Optical Fiber4Mechanical Waves
What a Wave IsTwo Graphs of a WaveWhen Pulses MeetInterferenceStanding WavesHarmonicsRecap - Guitar String