9702 · 7.1
Progressive waves
Welcome to the fascinating world of **progressive waves**! These waves are nature's silent couriers, diligently moving **energy** from one location to another without actually moving the **matter** they travel through. From ripples on a pond to the light reaching us from distant stars, understanding progressive waves is fundamental to physics. This pilot aligns with **Senpai Corner** AS notes (2025-2027) for topic **7.1**.
Need to know
What you need to know
- **Amplitude (A)**: The maximum displacement of an oscillating particle from its equilibrium (rest) position. Measured in meters (m).
- **Wavelength (λ)**: The shortest distance between two points on a wave that are in phase (e.g., from one crest to the next). Measured in meters (m).
- **Period (T)**: The time taken for one complete oscillation of a particle in the medium. Measured in seconds (s).
- **Frequency (f)**: The number of complete oscillations per unit time. Measured in Hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz = 1 oscillation per second. It is the reciprocal of the period: $f = 1/T$.
- **Wave Speed (v)**: The speed at which energy is transferred by the wave. It is related to frequency and wavelength by the fundamental wave equation.
Explanation
Progressive waves
- **Amplitude (A)**: The maximum displacement of an oscillating particle from its equilibrium (rest) position. Measured in meters (m).
- **Wavelength (λ)**: The shortest distance between two points on a wave that are in phase (e.g., from one crest to the next). Measured in meters (m).
- **Period (T)**: The time taken for one complete oscillation of a particle in the medium. Measured in seconds (s).
- **Frequency (f)**: The number of complete oscillations per unit time. Measured in Hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz = 1 oscillation per second. It is the reciprocal of the period: $f = 1/T$.