Speed
The speed (v) of the wave is the distance moved by the crest or any point of the wave in 1 second.
Amplitude
振幅
The amplitude (
a
) of the wave is the maximum height of the crest
波峰
, or the maximum depth of the trough
波谷
, as measured from the resting (or equilibrium) position of the medium.
Phase
相位
The arrows at A, B, C, and D show the vibration direction of the wave at these points. A and C aremoving in the same direction at the same speed. They are in phase with each other. So are B andD. However, A and C are out of phase with B and D since they are moving in different directions.
The wave equation
The waves in the figure have a frequencyof 3 Hz. This means that 3 wave crestswill pass though P every second. A wavecrest at P will be at Q one second later. If the wavelength(
λ
) is 20cm, then thedistance traveled by the crest in onesecond will be 60cm, the length of 3 wavecrests. (20cm
×
3 =60cm) Therefore thespeed of the wave is 60cm/s.speed of wave = frequency
×
wavelength
:
4.1 Sound
Sound is the disturbance of matter transmitted outwards from its source.Sound is a longitudinal wave.(a) When the vibrating string moves tothe right, it compresses the air to theright and expands the air to theleft(rarefaction
疏部
).(b) When the string moves to the left, itcompresses the air to the left, andcauses a rarefaction on the right.(c) The vibrations cause a series of compressions
密部
and rarefactions that move out to generate sound waves.The amplitude of a sound wave decreases as it travels, because its energy is being spread out over alarger area. The sound wave is also absorbed by objects, as well as being converted to heat by theviscosity of air.
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