What are Waves?

A wave transmits information or energy from one point to another in the form of signals, but no material object makes
this journey. The frequency of a wave is obtained by including a factor of time in the mix. We are completely dependent
on waves for all of our wireless communications.

Wave is a flow or transfer of energy in the form of oscillation through a medium – space or mass. Sea waves or tides, a
sound which we hear, a photon of light travelling and even the movement of small plants blown by the wind are all
examples of different types of waves

Types of Waves

Mechanical Wave

A mechanical wave is a wave that is an oscillation of matter and is responsible for the transfer of energy through a
medium.

The distance of the wave’s propagation is limited by the medium of transmission. In this case, the oscillating material
moves about a fixed point, and there is very little translational motion. One intriguing property of mechanical wave is
the way they are measured, which is given by displacement divided by wavelength. When this dimensionless factor is 1,
it results in the generation of harmonic effects; for example, waves break on the beach when this factor exceeds 1,
resulting in turbulence.

There are two types of mechanical waves:

Longitudinal waves – In this type of wave, the movement of the particle are parallel to the motion of the energy i.e. the
displacement of the medium is in the same direction to which the wave is moving. Example – Sound Waves, Pressure
Waves.

Transverse waves – When the movement of the particles is at right angles or perpendicular to the motion of the
energy, then this type of wave is known as Transverse wave. Light is an example of a transverse wave. Some of the
other examples are – ‘Polarized’ waves & Electromagnetic waves.

Surface waves – In this type, the particles travel in a circular motion. These waves usually occur at interfaces. Waves in
the ocean and ripples in a cup of water are examples of such waves.

Electromagnetic Wave

Electromagnetic waves are created by a fusion of electric and magnetic fields. The light you see, the colours around you
are visible because of electromagnetic waves.

One interesting property here is that unlike mechanical waves, electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to travel.
All electromagnetic waves travel through a vacuum at the same speed, 299,792,458 ms-1.

types of electromagnetic waves:

Microwaves

X-ray

Radio waves

Ultraviolet waves

Matter Wave

This concept is a little complicated to understand. The dual nature of matter; its ability to exist both as a particle and a
wave was first brought to light by the founders of the field of Quantum Physics.
For example, a beam of electrons can be diffracted just like any other beam of electromagnetic radiation or water wave.
This property of matter was brought forward by Louis de Broglie’s Hypothesis

mechanical wave
matter wave
Parts of a wave

We will be considering the parts of a wave with the wave represented as a  transverse wave  as in the following
diagram:

In the above diagram the white line represents the

position of the medium when no wave is present. This
medium could be imagined as a rope fixed at one end a few feet above the ground and held by you at the other
end.

The yellow line represents the position of the medium

as a wave travels through it. We simply say that the yellow line is the wave. If we
consider the rope mentioned before, this wave could be created by vertically shaking the end of the rope.

Often, when several waves are traveling along a medium as shown above, the continuous group of waves
is called a wave train. And, since the waves are made again and again, with each wave requiring the same
amount of time for its creation, we say that the wave is periodic.
 
 

Crest and Trough (  Top ,  Wave Home  )

The section of the wave that rises above the
undisturbed position is called the crest. That section which lies below
the undisturbed position is called the trough. These sections are labeled in the following diagram:

 
 

Amplitude (  Top ,  Wave Home  )

The term amplitude can have slightly different
meanings depending upon the context of the situation.
Its most general definition is that the amplitude is the maximum positive displacement from the undisturbed
position of the medium to the top of a crest. This is shown in the following diagram:
In some discussions it is important to distinguish between positive and negative amplitudes. These
displacements are shown in the following diagram:

Sometimes it is necessary to discuss an amplitude at a certain point along the wave. Several of these amplitudes
are shown in the following diagram:

Notice in the above diagram that three of the amplitudes are positive and two are negative.

Here are some other labeled examples of positive and negative amplitudes:
In general, if the question simply is 'What is the amplitude of the wave?', the answer follows the description of
amplitude shown in the first of the above four amplitude diagrams. It is the maximum positive displacement of
the medium from its undisturbed position to the top of a crest.

In many discussions, though, the term amplitude takes on a slightly more complicated meaning. For example, in
a discussion about  wave interference  the later descriptions of positive and negative amplitudes at certain points
would be used. In such contexts, amplitude means the displacement of the medium from its undisturbed position
to its disturbed position at a certain point along the wave.

All of this becomes clear as you study waves further and understand the context of your situation.

To sum up amplitude, we would say:

 It is the displacement of the medium from its normal position.

 Usually this simply means the maximum positive displacement.

 Often, especially in discussions about interference, amplitude means the displacement of the medium
from its normal position at certain points, and this displacement can be positive or negative.

 
 

Wavelength (  Top ,  Wave Home  )

The wavelength of a wave is the distance between any two adjacent corresponding locations on the wave train.
This distance is usually measured in one of three ways: crest to next crest, trough to next trough, or from the
start of a wave cycle to the next starting point. This is shown in the following diagram:
Actually, the a wavelength exists between any point on a wave and the corresponding point on the next wave in
the wave train. A few of such distances are shown below:

 
 

Frequency (  Top ,  Wave Home  )

Frequency is often not termed as a part of a wave, but it makes sense to introduce its meaning in this section.

Frequency refers to how many waves are made per time interval. This is usually described as how many waves
are made per second, or as cycles per second.

The following interactive diagram lets you adjust the frequency of the wave train.