Wavelength
The wavelength( ) of a wave is the distance from one crest to the next.
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Velocity
Velocity is denoted by the letter c. The green arrow in the diagram below represents the velocity (a vector) of the wave. It is given by the formula.
c= /T
where T=time
=wavelegth
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The faster the wave the smaller the wavelength.
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The slower the wave the longer the wavelength.
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Time Period
The time period of a wave is the time it takes one wavelength to pass a point ie how long does it take for the green dot to pass the yellow line.
1/frequency=1/
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Amplitude
The amplitude of the wave is the distance from the x-axis to the crest.
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Frequency
The frequency( ) is the number of crests that cross a point in a given amount of time. ie how many crests pass the yellow line in time T.
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There are two types of frequencies
- period per second
- radians per second
When we use radians per second and given , c and we get the formula.
T=2 /
where T=time
This changes the velocity formula to
c=![](images/lambda/lambda16.gif) /2
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