What is a wave?What is a wave?

Speed, wave length and frequencySpeed, wave length and frequency

One vertical PulseOne vertical Pulse

Direction of wave propagation

Direction of oscillation

= transverse wave Waves on strings

One horizontal PulseOne horizontal Pulse

Direction of propagation

Direction of oscillation

= longitudinal wave Compression waves

sound

Reflection at a fixed endReflection at a fixed end

Reflected pulse is inverted

Reflection at a loose endReflection at a loose end

Reflected pulse is not inverted

Wave motionWave motionDisplacement versus time at fixed position

time

periody

Wave motionWave motionStop! Snapshot at

a fixed time.Distance between

equivalent points on the wave =

wave length

The wave travels a distance of one wave length in the time of one period

Speed of the waveSpeed of the wave

Speed = Distance

Time =

Wave length

period

1f

v fT