Wave Patterns - Middle School Physical Science

Horizontal distance between consecutive crests (or consecutive troughs). Wavelength spans one complete wave pattern horizontally.

$v=f\lambda$. Speed equals how many wavelengths pass per second.

$f=rac{1}{T}$. Frequency and period are reciprocals of each other.

$f=5\ \text{Hz}$. Frequency is $\frac{15\ \text{cycles}}{3\ \text{s}}=5$ Hz.

$\lambda=3\ \text{m}$. Each cycle is $\frac{12}{4}=3$ m long.

$5\ \text{cm}$. Amplitude is half the crest-to-trough distance.

$6\ \text{cm}$. Amplitude equals the crest height above equilibrium.

$f=5\ \text{Hz}$. Use $f=\frac{v}{\lambda}=\frac{10}{2}=5$ Hz.

$\lambda=3\ \text{m}$. Use $\lambda=\frac{v}{f}=\frac{12}{4}=3$ m.

$v=6\ \text{m/s}$. Use $v=f\lambda=3\times 2=6$ m/s.

$f=4\ \text{Hz}$. Use $f=\frac{1}{T}=\frac{1}{0.25}=4$ Hz.

Time for one complete cycle of the wave. The time pattern that repeats in wave motion.

Number of wave cycles passing a point each second. Measured in hertz (Hz), shows how often the pattern repeats.

Maximum displacement from the equilibrium (rest) position. Measures how far the wave moves from its center line.

$T=0.2\ \text{s}$. Use $T=\frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{5}=0.2$ seconds.

Decreasing frequency. Since $v=f\lambda$, smaller $f$ means larger $\lambda$ when $v$ is constant.

Decreasing wavelength. Since $v=f\lambda$, smaller $\lambda$ means larger $f$ when $v$ is constant.

Distance between identical points (crest-to-crest or trough-to-trough). Wavelength is the repeating spatial pattern of a wave.

One complete cycle (one wavelength). The pattern repeats after each wavelength distance.

$v=f\lambda$. Wave equation relates speed, frequency, and wavelength.

One complete cycle (one wavelength). Waves repeat their pattern every wavelength.

$T=0.2\ \text{s}$. Use $T = \frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{5} = 0.2$ s.

$f=4\ \text{Hz}$. Use $f = \frac{1}{T} = \frac{1}{0.25} = 4$ Hz.

$\lambda=4\ \text{m}$. Use $\lambda = \frac{v}{f} = \frac{12}{3} = 4$ m.