physics / Waves & Motion / free

Waves

Follow a disturbance as energy travels without carrying the medium along with it.

a traveling disturbancev = f λ
λenergy moves →

The relation v=fλ is exact for a single-frequency wave once the medium's propagation speed is defined. Superposition lets many such waves form a richer pattern.

frequency f45 Hz
wavelength λ55 cm
wave speed24.8 u

The medium's particles oscillate locally while the disturbance carries energy along the medium. A wave is a pattern in motion, not a chunk of matter traveling from source to receiver.

04 / PRACTICE

Make the idea yours.

0 / 3 checked

Use the model, then answer without looking back. Each check isolates one decision a learner should be able to make after this lesson.

CHECK 1 / 3

What is one wavelength?