VIBRATIONS AND WAVES

 Oscillation - refers to the repeated back and forth movement of something

between two positions or states.

 Period, T - is the time a vibrating object takes to make one complete

oscillation. It is measured in seconds

 Frequency, f - is the number of complete oscillations (or cycles) made in 1

second. It is measured in hertz (Hz). One hertz is one oscillation per second

1
 T= f

 Displacement, s - of a vibrating object is its distance, in either direction, from

the equilibrium or central position.

 Amplitude, a – is the maximum displacement in either direction from the

position of equilibrium
 A Pulse - is a single wave motion

 A Wave train – is a continuous group of waves with regular repeating features

 Transverse Wave - one that has vibrations perpendicular to its direction of

propagation. (waves go up and down)

 Longitudinal Wave – one that has vibrations parallel to its direction of

propagation. (waves go across)

 Progressive Waves – are those that transfer energy from one point to the next.
It carries energy away from the source.