Question

What is a wave? Explain the following terms associated with waves: wavelength, frequency, amplitude.

Short answer

A wave is a disturbance transferring energy from one place to another without any transfer of matter. Wavelength is the distance between two identical points in a wave, commonly measured from peak to peak or trough to trough. Frequency is the number of completed wave cycles in a given period of time, typically measured in Hertz. Amplitude is a measure of the 'size' or height of a wave's peaks/troughs from its mean position, which represents the amount of energy the wave carries.

Step-by-step solution

Defining a Wave

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring matter. They can exist in various forms (like sound, light, or ocean waves) and occur as a regular pattern of oscillations or vibrations.

Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between two identical points in a wave – usually measured from peak to peak, or trough to trough. It can also be considered as one complete spatial cycle of a wave.

Frequency

Frequency refers to the number of completed wave cycles in a given period of time. It's usually measured in Hertz (Hz), with 1 Hz representing one wave cycle per second.

Amplitude

Amplitude of a wave is a measure of its 'size', or the height of its peaks/troughs from the mean position. It's directly related to the amount of energy carried by the wave. Amplitude is usually measured in meters, but can be any appropriate length unit, depending on the nature of the wave.