Definition
Mechanical Waves are periodic disturbances that travel through a physical medium (solid, liquid, or gas), transferring energy without transferring matter.
Why It Matters
It is the general physics model governing ocean waves, seismic activity, and musical strings.
Core Concepts
- Wave Properties:
- Amplitude: Maximum displacement.
- Wavelength (): Distance between crests.
- How to read: “lambda.”
- Meaning: One full spatial cycle of the wave; inversely related to frequency at fixed speed.
- Frequency (): Vibrations per second (Hertz).
- How to read: “f.”
- Meaning: Number of complete vibrations per second; measured in hertz (Hz).
- Period (): Time for one vibration ().
- How to read: “T equals one over f.”
- Meaning / when to use: Period and frequency are reciprocals; higher frequency means shorter period.
- Wave Speed: .
- How to read: “v equals f times lambda.”
- Meaning: Fundamental wave equation linking speed, frequency, and wavelength.
- Transverse Waves: Vibration is perpendicular to motion (e.g., light).
- Pitch: Subjective impression of frequency.
- Resonance: Large increase in amplitude when forced vibration matches natural frequency.
- Beats: Interference pattern from slightly different frequencies.