Basics of Waves

Waves are all around us and play an important role in our daily lives. A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another. It can

Wave amplitude is the height of a wave from its resting position (the midpoint) to the top of a crest or the bottom of a trough. It tells us how stron

Wave amplitude is the distance from the resting point of a wave to its highest or lowest point. It helps us understand how much energy a wave is carry

Wave frequency refers to the number of wave cycles that pass a point in one second. It is measured in hertz (Hz). The higher the frequency, the more w

A wave is a repeating disturbance or vibration that transfers energy from one place to another without the transfer of matter. Waves are found in many

Mechanical waves are waves that move through a medium, like air, water, or solid materials. These waves carry energy, no matter where, from one place

Transverse waves are a type of wave where the motion of the particles is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. You can think of them like t

A longitudinal wave is a type of wave where the particles of the medium move back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels. Sound waves in

Wavelength is one of the key features that helps us understand how waves move and carry energy. It’s the distance between two repeating points on a wa

Wave speed is how fast a wave travels through a medium. It depends on the type of wave and the material it’s moving through. For example, sound travel

Waves don’t just move—they also interact. When waves meet objects or other waves, they can reflect (bounce off), refract (bend), diffract (spread out)

Wave interference happens when two or more waves meet in the same place at the same time. When they overlap, they can either add together to make a bi

Surface waves are a type of mechanical wave that travel along the boundary between two materials—usually air and water. You’ve probably seen them in a