Waves and Wave Motion | Physics

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This module introduces the history of wave theory and offers basic explanations of longitudinal and transverse waves. Wave periods are described in terms of amplitude and length. Wave motion and the concepts of wave speed and frequency are also explored.", "keywords": "waves, wave motion, wavelength, wave speed, physics, amplitude, transverse", "inLanguage": { "@type": "Language", "name": "English", "alternateName": "en" }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Visionlearning, Inc." }, "copyrightYear": "2003"} </script> <meta property="og:url" content="https://visionlearning.com/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102"> <meta property="og:title" content="Waves and Wave Motion | Physics | Visionlearning" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Visionlearning"> <meta property="og:description" content="Waves have been of interest to philosophers and scientists alike for thousands of years. 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aria-labelledby="acc-button-earth-cycles" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-nitrogen-cycle/98">The Nitrogen Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-carbon-cycle/95">The Carbon Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-phosphorus-cycle/197">The Phosphorus Cycle</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-research" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/collaborative-research-in-the-arctic-towards-understanding-climate-change/183">Collaborative Research in the Arctic Towards Understanding Climate Change</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/atmospheric-chemistry-research-that-changed-global-policy/211">Atmospheric Chemistry Research that Changed Global Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-general-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-general-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> General Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-general-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-general-science" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-methods" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-methods" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Methods </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-methods" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-methods" 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aria-labelledby="acc-button-statistics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/introduction-to-descriptive-statistics/218">Introduction to Descriptive Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/introduction-to-inferential-statistics/224">Introduction to Inferential Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/statistical-techniques/239">Statistical Techniques</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-trigonometric-functions" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-trigonometric-functions" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Trigonometric Functions </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-trigonometric-functions" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-trigonometric-functions" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/wave-mathematics/131">Wave 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data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-ideas-in-science" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/theories-hypotheses-and-laws/177">Theories, Hypotheses, and Laws</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/scientific-controversy/181">Scientific Controversy</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/creativity-in-science/182">Creativity in Science</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-research-methods" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-research-methods" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Research Methods </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-research-methods" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-research-methods" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-practice-of-science/148">The Practice of Science</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/experimentation-in-scientific-research/150">Experimentation in Scientific Research</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/description-in-scientific-research/151">Description in Scientific Research</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/comparison-in-scientific-research/152">Comparison in Scientific Research</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/modeling-in-scientific-research/153">Modeling in Scientific Research</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-data" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-data" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Data </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-data" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-data" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/data-analysis-and-interpretation/154">Data Analysis and Interpretation</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/uncertainty-error-and-confidence/157">Uncertainty, Error, and Confidence</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/statistics-in-science/155">Statistics in Science</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/using-graphs-and-visual-data-in-science/156">Using Graphs and Visual Data in Science</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-communication" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-communication" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Communication </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-communication" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-communication" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/understanding-scientific-journals-and-articles/158">Understanding Scientific Journals and Articles</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/utilizing-the-scientific-literature/173">Utilizing the Scientific Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/peer-review-in-scientific-publishing/159">Peer Review in Scientific Publishing</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-how-and-why-of-scientific-meetings/186">The How and Why of Scientific Meetings</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientists-and-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientists-and-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientists and Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientists-and-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientists-and-research" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-research" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/collaborative-research-in-the-arctic-towards-understanding-climate-change/183">Collaborative Research in the Arctic Towards Understanding Climate Change</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/from-stable-chromosomes-to-jumping-genes/184">From Stable Chromosomes to Jumping Genes</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/an-elegant-experiment-to-test-the-process-of-dna-replication/187">An Elegant Experiment to Test the Process of DNA Replication</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/the-founding-of-neuroscience/233">The Founding of Neuroscience</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/tracking-endangered-jaguars-across-the-border/189">Tracking Endangered Jaguars across the Border</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/atmospheric-chemistry-research-that-changed-global-policy/211">Atmospheric Chemistry Research that Changed Global Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/revolutionizing-medicine-with-monoclonal-antibodies/220">Revolutionizing Medicine with Monoclonal Antibodies</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/uncovering-the-mysteries-of-chronic-mountain-sickness/238">Uncovering the Mysteries of Chronic Mountain Sickness</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-profiles-in-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-profiles-in-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Profiles in Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-profiles-in-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-profiles-in-science" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/luis-e.-miramontes/232">Luis E. Miramontes</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/bernardo-houssay/237">Bernardo Houssay</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/craig-lee/256">Craig Lee</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/david-ho/241">David Ho</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/louis-tompkins-wright/244">Louis Tompkins Wright</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/carlos-j.-finlay/217">Carlos J. Finlay</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/cecilia-payne/290">Cecilia Payne</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/jazmin-scarlett/291">Jazmin Scarlett</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ramari-stewart/292">Ramari Stewart</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/johnson-cerda/300">Johnson Cerda</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ellen-ochoa/201">Ellen Ochoa</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ruth-benerito/205">Ruth Benerito</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/franklin-chang-díaz/219">Franklin Chang Díaz</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/percy-lavon-julian/221">Percy Lavon Julian</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/luis-walter-alvarez/229">Luis Walter Alvarez</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/france-anne-dominic-córdova/230">France Anne-Dominic Córdova</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li>  <button class="button" data-toggle="dropdown">Physics </button> <div class="nav__dropdown box-shadow-1 padding-1"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary font-size-sm"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-light-and-optics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-light-and-optics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Light and Optics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-light-and-optics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-light-and-optics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/the-nature-of-light/132">The Nature of Light</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/electromagnetism-and-light/138">Electromagnetism and Light</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-mechanics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-mechanics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Mechanics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-mechanics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-mechanics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/defining-energy/199">Defining Energy</a></li> <li class="current">Waves and Wave Motion</li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/gravity/118">Gravity</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/thermodynamics-i/200">Thermodynamics I</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav>  <div id="theTop"></div> <main id="skip-header-content"> <div class="margin-bottom-5"> <div class="container narrow wide--lg margin-y-4"> <article class="module"> <header class="module__header"> <span class="subcategory"> <strong><em>Mechanics</em></strong> </span> <h1>Waves and Wave Motion: <sub><em>Describing waves</em></sub></h1> <p class="byline">by Nathaniel Page Stites, M.A./M.S.</p> </header> <nav class="module__tabs"> <ul class="tabs-nav tabs-nav--pill tabs-nav--horizontal--md library"> <li> <a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102/reading" class="is-active" aria-current="page" >Reading</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102/quiz" >Quiz</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102/resources" >Teach with this</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "AudioObject", "contentUrl": "https://www.visionlearning.com/img/library/moduleAudio/module_102.mp3", "description": "Recording of Waves and Wave Motion : Waves have been of interest to philosophers and scientists alike for thousands of years. This module introduces the history of wave theory and offers basic explanations of longitudinal and transverse waves. Wave periods are described in terms of amplitude and length. Wave motion and the concepts of wave speed and frequency are also explored.", "encodingFormat": "mp3", "name": "module_102.mp3" } </script> <div class="module__audio"> <div class="audio-player border border-radius"> <audio id="audio"> <source src="https://www.visionlearning.com/img/library/moduleAudio/module_102.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> Your browser does not support the audio element. </audio> <div class="audio-player__title"> <p>Listen to this reading</p> <span class="audio-player__timestamp" id="timestamp"> 00:00 </span> </div> <div class="audio-player__controls" id="controls"> <button class="button button--icon-only" id="play-pause-button"> <span class="icon icon-play" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> <div class="audio-player__progress" id="progress-bar" tabindex="0" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="0" aria-label="Use arrow keys to forward or rewind the audio" role="slider"> <div class="audio-player__progress__fill"> <span class="audio-player__thumb"></span> </div> </div> <div class="audio-player__volume-container"> <button id="mute-button"> <span class="icon icon-volume"></span> </button> <div class="audio-player__volume" tabindex="0" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="100" aria-label="Use arrow keys to adjust volume" role="slider"> <div class="audio-player__volume__fill"> <span class="audio-player__thumb"></span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr class="module__divider" />  <div class="module__tools"> <aside class="module__tools__container border-radius box-shadow-1"> <div class="tabs tabs--toggle-mobile--lg" role="tablist"> <ul class="tab__buttons"> <li> <button class="button button--icon-over-text" aria-label="In this module" aria-controls="tab-panel-module__tools" aria-selected="true" role="tab"> <span class="button__icon"> <span class="icon icon-list" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> <span class="button__text">Contents</span> </button> </li> <li> <button class="button button--icon-over-text" aria-controls="tab-panel-toggle-terms" aria-selected="false" role="tab"> <span class="button__icon"> <span class="icon icon-glossary-highlight"></span> </span> <span class="button__text">Glossary Terms</span> </button> </li> <li> <button class="button button--icon-over-text" aria-controls="tab-panel-toggle-ngss" aria-selected="false" role="tab"> <span class="button__icon"> <span class="icon icon-ngss" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> <span class="button__text">NGSS</span> </button> </li> </ul> <div class="tabs__panel shown" id="tab-panel-module__tools" aria-labelledby="tab-button-module__tools" role="tabpanel"> <div class="table-of-contents"> <p class="table-of-contents__title"> Table of Contents </p> <ul class="table-of-contents__nav"> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102#toc_1">Ancient wave theories</a> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102#toc_2">Wave basics</a> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102#toc_3">Describing waves</a> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102#toc2_1">Amplitude and wavelength</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102#toc2_2">Wave period</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102#toc2_3">Wave frequency</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102#toc2_4">Wave speed</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="tabs__panel" id="tab-panel-toggle-terms" aria-labelledby="tab-button-toggle-terms" role="tabpanel"> <div class="reading-toggle"> <div class="reading-toggle__switch"> <div class="form-entry__option__switch"> <label> <input type="checkbox" name="termsToggleSwitch" id="terms-toggle-switch" /> <span class="switch__slider"></span> <span class="option__label text-decoration-none font-size-md"> Highlight Glossary Terms </span> </label> </div> </div> <div class="reading-toggle__help"> <p> <em> Activate glossary term highlighting to easily identify key terms within the module. Once highlighted, you can click on these terms to view their definitions. </em> </p> </div> </div> <div class="glossary-container"></div> </div> <div class="tabs__panel" id="tab-panel-toggle-ngss" aria-labelledby="tab-button-toggle-ngss" role="tabpanel"> <div class="reading-toggle"> <div class="reading-toggle__switch"> <div class="form-entry__option__switch"> <label> <input type="checkbox" name="ngssToggleSwitch" id="ngss-toggle-switch" /> <span class="switch__slider"></span> <span class="option__label text-decoration-none font-size-md"> Show NGSS Annotations </span> </label> </div> </div> <div class="reading-toggle__help"> <p> <em> Activate NGSS annotations to easily identify NGSS standards within the module. Once highlighted, you can click on them to view these standards. </em> </p> </div> </div> <div class="ngss-container"></div> </div> </div> </aside> <div class="margin-3"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9561344156007092" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9561344156007092" data-ad-slot="7634263342" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </div>     <div class="module__main"> <div class="module__main__container"> <div class="accordion">  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-key-concepts" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-key-concepts" aria-expanded="true" tabindex="0"> Did you know? </button> <div class="accordion__panel shown show" id="acc-panel-key-concepts" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-key-concepts" role="region"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <p>Did you know that destructive tsunamis and beautiful music have something in common? They are both types of waves. When a stadium crowd does “the wave,” they are demonstrating the physics of wave motion. Similarly, shaking a Slinky from one end creates wave motion. Waves are all around us in many forms and are important to just about every branch of physics.</p> </div> </div>  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-table-of-contents" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-table-of-contents" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"> Key concepts </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-table-of-contents" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-table-of-contents" role="region" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <ul class="bulleted"> <li><p>The study of waves dates back to the ancient Greeks who observed how the vibrating strings of musical instruments would generate sound.</p></li> <li><p>While there are two fundamental types of waves - longitudinal and transverse - waves can take many forms (e.g., light, sound, and physical waves).</p></li> <li><p>Waves can be described by their exhibited properties: frequency, speed, amplitude, and wavelength.</p></li> </ul> </div> </div>  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-terms-you-should-know" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-terms-you-should-know" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"> Terms you should know </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-terms-you-should-know" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-terms-you-should-know" role="region" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <dl> <dt>displacement </dt> <dd> moving something out of its original position, replacing the position of one thing with something else </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/equilibrium">equilibrium </a></dt> <dd> a state of balance between opposing forces; a state of balance in which opposing forces cancel one another </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/frequency">frequency </a></dt> <dd> a measure of how often a wave cycle is completed in a given unit of time </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/particle">particle </a></dt> <dd> a tiny piece of matter </dd> <dt>wave </dt> <dd>a motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation</dd> </dl> </div> </div> </div> <section> <p>On July 17, 1998, three huge <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> – "tsunamis" – up to 15 meters high struck the north coast of Papua New Guinea, killing at least 2,200 people. A major <mark class="term" data-term="earthquake" data-term-def="1. The sudden motion or slip along a fault. 2. The ground shaking that results from the release of seismic energy&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/earthquake/1664">earthquake</mark>, itself consisting of <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation.">waves</mark> traveling through the Earth, triggered an underwater landslide that created the tsunamis. Radio stations reported the disaster by transmitting electromagnetic radio waves to listeners around the world. Listeners were able to hear the news transported by sound waves created by their radios.</p> <p><mark id="ngss-355" class="ngss">Waves of one form or another can be found in an amazingly diverse range of physical applications, from the oceans to the science of sound. Put simply, a wave is a traveling disturbance. Ocean <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> travel for thousands of kilometers through the water. <mark class="term" data-term="earthquake" data-term-def="1. The sudden motion or slip along a fault. 2. The ground shaking that results from the release of seismic energy&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/earthquake/1664">Earthquake</mark> <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation.">waves</mark> travel through the Earth, sometimes bouncing off the <mark class="term" data-term="core" data-term-def="The innermost layer of the Earth, which starts at ~2900 km depth. The core is composed mainly of iron and consists&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/core/1663">core</mark> of the Earth and making it all the way back to the <mark class="term" data-term="surface" data-term-def="The outside or external part; the topside face of something." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/surface/8275">surface</mark>. Sound waves travel through the air to our ears, where we process the disturbances and interpret them.</mark></p> <p><section id="toc_1" class=""> <h2>Ancient wave theories</h2></p> <p>Much of our current understanding of wave motion has come from the study of acoustics. Ancient Greek philosophers, many of whom were interested in music, hypothesized that there was a connection between <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> and sound, and that vibrations, or disturbances, must be responsible for sounds. <mark class="term" data-term="Pythagoras" data-term-def="Greek mathematician and philosopher, born in Samos (ca. 569-475 BCE). Pythagoras is best known for his proof of the Pythagorean theorem,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/Pythagoras/3719">Pythagoras</mark> observed in 550 <mark class="term" data-term="BCE" data-term-def="An abbreviation for Before the Common Era, which is a designation for the years prior to year 1 of the Gregorian&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/BCE/3720">BCE</mark> that vibrating strings produced sound, and worked to determine the mathematical relationships between the lengths of strings that made harmonious tones.</p><p>Scientific <mark class="term" data-term="theory" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/theory" data-term-def="A scientific theory is an explanation inferred from multiple lines of evidence for some broad aspect of the natural world and&hellip;">theories</mark> of wave propagation became more prominent in the 17th Century <mark class="term" data-term="CE" data-term-def="An abbreviation for Common Era, which is a designation for the time beginning with year 1 of the Gregorian calendar. CE&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/CE/3721">CE</mark>, when <mark class="term" data-term="Galileo Galilei" data-term-def="The Italian physicist, mathematician, and astronomer born in Pisa in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (1564-1642 CE). Among other things, Galileo&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/Galileo+Galilei/3724">Galileo Galilei</mark> (1564-1642) published a clear statement of the connection between vibrating bodies and the sounds they produce. <mark class="term" data-term="Robert Boyle" data-term-def="English chemist and theologian, born at Lismore Castle, Munster, Ireland (1627-1691). Boyle published on a broad array of topics, including chemistry,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/Boyle%2C+Robert/4459">Robert Boyle</mark>, in a classic <mark class="term" data-term="experiment" data-term-def="A test or trial carried out under controlled conditions so that specific actions can be performed and the results can be observed." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/experiment/8292">experiment</mark> from 1660, proved that sound cannot travel through a vacuum. <mark class="term" data-term="Isaac Newton" data-term-def="English alchemist, physicist, astronomer and mathematician born in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, Lincolnshire (1643-1727). In 1672, Newton offered an experimental proof that light is&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/Isaac+Newton/3725">Isaac Newton</mark> published a mathematical description of how sound travels in his work <em>Principia</em> (1686). In the 18th Century, French mathematician and scientist Jean Le Rond d'Alembert derived the wave equation, a thorough and general mathematical description of <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark>, which laid the foundation for generations of scientists to study and describe wave phenomena.</p> <div class="container margin-y-4 text-align-center"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9561344156007092" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9561344156007092" data-ad-slot="9090201191"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form name="cc8579"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">Our understanding of wave motion began with the study of</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-8579-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-8579" type="radio" value="sound." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> sound. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8579-0"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-8579-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-8579" type="radio" value="vacuums." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> vacuums. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8579-1"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc_2"> <h2>Wave basics</h2><p>Waves can take many forms, but there are two fundamental types of <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation.">waves:</mark> "longitudinal" and "transverse" (see Figures 1 and 2). Both of these wave types are traveling disturbances, but they are different because of the way that they travel. As a wave travels through a medium, the <mark class="term" data-term="particle" data-term-def="A tiny piece of matter." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/particle/8259">particles</mark> that make up the medium are disturbed from their resting, or "equilibrium" positions. In a longitudinal wave, the particles are disturbed in a direction parallel to the direction that the wave <mark class="term" data-term="propagate" data-term-def="To spread to a broader area or to multiply in number." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/propagate/11230">propagates</mark>. A longitudinal wave consists of "compressions" and "rarefactions" where particles are bunched together and spread out, respectively (see Figure 1). For another view of this type of wave, take a look at the longitudinal wave video clip below. In a transverse wave, the particles are disturbed in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave propagates. The transverse wave video clip below provides a dynamic visualization of this type of wave. After either type of wave passes through a medium, the particles return to their <mark class="term" data-term="equilibrium" data-term-def="A state of balance between opposing forces; a state of balance in which opposing forces cancel one another. A state in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/equilibrium/8680">equilibrium</mark> positions. Thus, <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> travel through a medium with no net displacement of the particles in the medium.</p>  <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button" data-lightbox="image"> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid102/Image/VLObject-2137-030819010800.jpg" alt="Figure 1: A longitudinal wave, made up of compressions – areas where particles are close together – and rarefactions – areas where particles are spread out. The particles move in a direction that is parallel to the direction of wave propagation." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><b>Figure 1:</b> A longitudinal wave, made up of compressions – areas where particles are close together – and rarefactions – areas where particles are spread out. The particles move in a direction that is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.</p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox="video" data-lightbox-src="/img/library/video/longitudinal-wave.mp4"> <video src="/img/library/video/longitudinal-wave.mp4" alt="" /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Illustration of a longitudinal wave</strong></p> <p> </p> <span class="credit"></span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <br><br>  <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button" data-lightbox="image"> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid102/Image/VLObject-2139-030819010808.jpg" alt="Figure 2: A transverse wave. The particles move in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><b>Figure 2:</b> A transverse wave. The particles move in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.</p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox="video" data-lightbox-src="/img/library/video/transverse-wave.mp4"> <video src="/img/library/video/transverse-wave.mp4" alt="" /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Illustration of a transverse wave.</strong></p> <p> </p> <span class="credit"></span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p><mark id="ngss-356" class="ngss">Sound <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> are examples of longitudinal waves: the individual <mark class="term" data-term="particle" data-term-def="A tiny piece of matter." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/particle/8259">particles</mark> (air molecules) vibrate back and forth in the direction that the sound is traveling. An example of a transverse wave is the classic sports arena phenomenon known as "The Wave." As the wave travels around the stadium, each spectator stands up and sits down. Thus, the displacement of the "particles" is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. Many other <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation.">waves</mark>, such as ocean waves or Rayleigh Surface Waves are combinations of longitudinal and transverse wave motion.</mark></p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form name="cc8580"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">Particles bunch together and spread out in _____ waves.</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-8580-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-8580" type="radio" value="longitudinal" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> longitudinal </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8580-0"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-8580-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-8580" type="radio" value="transverse" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> transverse </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8580-1"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc_3"> <h2>Describing waves</h2><p><mark id="ngss-357" class="ngss">The <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> we described above are all examples of 'periodic <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation.">waves</mark>,' in that they involve a cyclical pattern of motion. Waves travel through space and time, and can be described in terms of their characteristics in both of these dimensions. Imagine a Slinky<sup>®</sup>, a toy that consists solely of a long, loosely coiled piece of metal or plastic. By shaking one end of the Slinky<sup>®</sup> up and down in a periodic fashion, it is possible to produce a transverse wave,</mark> as shown in the figures below.</p></section> <section id="toc2_1"><h3>Amplitude and wavelength</h3><p>Figure 3 represents a snapshot of a Slinky<sup>®</sup>, such as the one in the transverse wave video clip, as it is vibrating. The vertical axis represents the vertical position of the Slinky<sup>®</sup>, and the horizontal axis represents its horizontal position. As indicated in the figure, <mark id="ngss-358" class="ngss">the <mark class="term" data-term="amplitude" data-term-def="Magnitude; a measure of height from the highest to lowest point on a vertical axis; a measure of the size of&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/amplitude/8762">amplitude</mark> (<em>A</em>) of the wave is the maximum displacement of a <mark class="term" data-term="particle" data-term-def="A tiny piece of matter." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/particle/8259">particle</mark> from its <mark class="term" data-term="equilibrium" data-term-def="A state of balance between opposing forces; a state of balance in which opposing forces cancel one another. A state in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/equilibrium/8680">equilibrium</mark> position – or the height of the wave. The length of the wave is the <mark class="term" data-term="wavelength" data-term-def="The distance between corresponding points on two successive waves, generally measured from crest to crest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/wavelength/1500">wavelength</mark> (λ), and is simply the length of one cycle of the wave. In the figure, the wavelength is shown as the distance between two successive wave crests. The wavelength can also be measured between successive troughs, or between any two equivalent points on the wave. Both the amplitude and the wavelength of a wave are commonly measured in meters.</mark></p> <div class="container margin-y-4 text-align-center"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9561344156007092" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9561344156007092" data-ad-slot="3321739899"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div>  <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button" data-lightbox="image"> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid102/Image/VLObject-2143-030819010818.jpg" alt="Figure 3: A view of a Slinky® at a particular moment in time." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><b>Figure 3:</b> A view of a Slinky<sup>®</sup> at a particular moment in time.</p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form name="cc8583"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">The height of a wave is know as its</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-8583-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-8583" type="radio" value="wavelength." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> wavelength. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8583-0"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-8583-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-8583" type="radio" value="amplitude." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> amplitude. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8583-1"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc2_2"><h3>Wave period</h3><p>Figure 4 is a graph of the displacement of one point on the Slinky<sup>®</sup> as a <mark class="term" data-term="function" data-term-def="Adaptations that influence how the animal interacts with other species. For example, animal function typically serves genetic and reproductive success." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/function/13151">function</mark> of time. The <mark class="term" data-term="amplitude" data-term-def="Magnitude; a measure of height from the highest to lowest point on a vertical axis; a measure of the size of&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/amplitude/8762">amplitude</mark> of the wave is still the same measurement as before – the maximum displacement of the point from its <mark class="term" data-term="equilibrium" data-term-def="A state of balance between opposing forces; a state of balance in which opposing forces cancel one another. A state in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/equilibrium/8680">equilibrium</mark> position. The wave <mark class="term" data-term="period" data-term-def="A row of elements in the periodic table." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/period/8565">period</mark> (<em>T</em>) is the time (measured in seconds) required for the point to complete one full cycle of its motion, from its highest point to its lowest and back again.</p>  <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button" data-lightbox="image"> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid102/Image/VLObject-2145-030819010821.jpg" alt="Figure 4: The motion of one point on a Slinky® as it travels through time." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><b>Figure 4:</b> The motion of one point on a Slinky<sup>®</sup> as it travels through time.</p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </section> <section id="toc2_3"><h3>Wave frequency</h3><p><mark id="ngss-359" class="ngss">The <mark class="term" data-term="frequency" data-term-def="The rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material or in an electromagnetic field, usually&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/frequency/2210">frequency</mark> of a wave (<em>f</em>) (not indicated in the figure) is a measure of how frequently the point completes one cycle of its motion. In other words, the frequency is the number of wave cycles completed by one point along the wave in a given time period.</mark> The frequency of a wave is related to the period of a wave by the following equation:</p><div class="figure"><figure> $$f = \frac{1}{T}$$ </figure></div><p>Where <em>f</em> is the <mark class="term" data-term="frequency" data-term-def="The rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material or in an electromagnetic field, usually&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/frequency/2210">frequency</mark> and <em>T</em> is the wave period. The frequency is measured in cycles per second, or hertz (Hz). If the wave period is 10 seconds (that is, it takes 10 seconds for the wave to complete one cycle), then the frequency is 0.1 Hz. In other words, the wave completes 0.1 cycles every second.</p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form name="cc8585"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">A frequency of 0.1 Hz means that a wave completes _____ cycles every second.</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-8585-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-8585" type="radio" value="10.0" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> 10.0 </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8585-0"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-8585-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-8585" type="radio" value="0.10" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> 0.10 </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-8585-1"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc2_4"><h3>Wave speed</h3><p>Remember that a wave is a traveling disturbance. Wave speed is a description of how fast a wave travels. The speed of a wave (<em>v</em>) is related to the <mark class="term" data-term="frequency" data-term-def="The rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material or in an electromagnetic field, usually&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/frequency/2210">frequency</mark>, wave <mark class="term" data-term="period" data-term-def="A row of elements in the periodic table." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/period/8565">period</mark>, and <mark class="term" data-term="wavelength" data-term-def="The distance between corresponding points on two successive waves, generally measured from crest to crest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/wavelength/1500">wavelength</mark> by the following simple equations:</p><div class="figure"><figure> $$v = \frac{\lambda}{T}$$ </figure></div><div class="figure"><figure> $$v = \lambda \, f$$ </figure></div><p>where v is the wave speed, λ is the <mark class="term" data-term="wavelength" data-term-def="The distance between corresponding points on two successive waves, generally measured from crest to crest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/wavelength/1500">wavelength</mark>, <em>T</em> is the wave <mark class="term" data-term="period" data-term-def="A row of elements in the periodic table." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/period/8565">period</mark>, and <em>f</em> is the <mark class="term" data-term="frequency" data-term-def="The rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material or in an electromagnetic field, usually&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/frequency/2210">frequency</mark>. <mark id="ngss-360" class="ngss">Wave speed is commonly measured in <mark class="term" data-term="unit" data-term-def="An accepted quantity used as a standard of measurement. For example, the meter, liter, and gram." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/unit/848">units</mark> of meters per second (m/s). For example, the musical note "A" is a sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hz. The wavelength of the wave is 78.4 cm. What is the speed of the sound wave?</mark></p><p><mark id="ngss-361" class="ngss">To determine the speed of the wave, we can use equation 3 and substitute the given <mark class="term" data-term="value" data-term-def="A number that is assigned based on measurement or a calculation. In mathematics, an unknown value that is commonly represented by&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/value/8254">values</mark> for <mark class="term" data-term="wavelength" data-term-def="The distance between corresponding points on two successive waves, generally measured from crest to crest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/wavelength/1500">wavelength</mark> and <mark class="term" data-term="frequency" data-term-def="The rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material or in an electromagnetic field, usually&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/frequency/2210">frequency</mark>, making sure we are using the standard <mark class="term" data-term="unit" data-term-def="An accepted quantity used as a standard of measurement. For example, the meter, liter, and gram." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/unit/848">units</mark>.</mark></p><div class="figure"><figure> $$f = 440Hz\lambda = 78.4 cm = 0.784 mv = \lambda f = (0.784m)(440Hz) = 345 m/s$$ </figure></div><p>This <mark class="term" data-term="value" data-term-def="A number that is assigned based on measurement or a calculation. In mathematics, an unknown value that is commonly represented by&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/value/8254">value</mark> (345 m/s) is the approximate value of the speed of sound in air. Interestingly, the speed of sound in air depends on temperature and pressure. A musician who plays a wind instrument, such as a trumpet, could tune her trumpet at the base of a mountain, hike up the mountain to where the air pressure is lower, and find that her trumpet is no longer in tune. Similarly, a change in air temperature could also change the tuning of the instrument.</p><p>As the example above illustrates, <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> are all around us in everyday life. The Ancient Greeks began their study of <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation.">waves</mark> by thinking about music, but now almost every branch of physics involves waves in one way or another.</p></section> <footer class="module__main__footer"> <hr class="border-color-dark"> <p class="citation"> <em> Nathaniel Page Stites, M.A./M.S. “Waves and Wave Motion” Visionlearning Vol. PHY-1 (1), 2003. </em> </p>  <div class="title-list" name="further"> <p class="h6 title-list__title"> Further Reading </p> <ul class="grid grid--column-2--md grid--column-3--md gap-1"> <li> <a class="no-hover-focus height-100" href="/en/library/Math-in-Science/62/Wave-Mathematics/131"> <article class="flex-row align-items-center flex-column--md align-items-start--md height-100 theme-light padding-2 gap-2"> <div class="width-30 width-auto--md"> <img class="border-radius box-shadow-1" src="/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_131-23061210060815.jpg" alt="Wave Mathematics"> </div> <div class="flex-grow-shrink"> <h2 class="h6 font-weight-normal"> Wave Mathematics: <em>Trigonometric functions</em> </h2> </div> </article> </a> </li> <li> <a class="no-hover-focus height-100" href="/en/library/General-Science/3/Temperature/48"> <article class="flex-row align-items-center flex-column--md align-items-start--md height-100 theme-light padding-2 gap-2"> <div class="width-30 width-auto--md"> <img class="border-radius box-shadow-1" src="/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_48-23061210060337.jpg" alt="Temperature"> </div> <div class="flex-grow-shrink"> <h2 class="h6 font-weight-normal"> Temperature: <em>Scales and conversions</em> </h2> </div> </article> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </footer> </div>    </article> </div> </div> </main> <script id="ngssCommentdata" type="application/json"> [{"ngss_tag_id":null,"type":"dci","tag":null,"name":null,"description":null,"comment":"The wavelength and frequency of a wave are related to one another by the speed of travel of the wave, which depends on the type of wave and the medium through which it is passing.\r\n\r\nPS4.A: Wave Properties","is_public":"1","mod_ngss_comment_id":"355","display_order":"1","dimension":"dci","dimension_full":"Disciplinary Core Ideas"},{"ngss_tag_id":null,"type":"dci","tag":null,"name":null,"description":null,"comment":"A simple wave has a repeating pattern with a specific wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. 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Waves and Wave Motion | Physics | Visionlearning