13-2-wave-properties-speed-amplitude-frequency-and-period_summary

The section "13.2 Wave Properties: Speed, Amplitude, Frequency, and Period" focuses on the characteristics and behavior of waves, including their velocity, frequency, amplitude, and wavelength. The main objectives include defining these wave properties, understanding their relationships, and solving problems involving them. Key terms include wave variables such as amplitude, period, frequency, wavelength, and wave velocity. Wave velocity is the speed at which a disturbance moves and is sometimes called the propagation velocity or propagation speed. The crest of a wave is sometimes called the peak. A periodic water wave's wavelength is the distance from crest to crest or trough to trough. Its amplitude is the distance between the resting position and the maximum displacement—either the crest or the trough—of the wave. The period is the time it takes for one wave cycle to complete, while the frequency is the number of waves passing by a specific point per second. The higher the frequency, the shorter the period. In a medium where vw is constant, the higher the frequency, the smaller the wavelength. These relationships hold true for all types of waves. In the "Waves in a Bowl" lab activity, students measure the wavelength and period of water waves created by dropping a cork into a bowl of water. The height above the water from which the cork is dropped affects the wavelength of the created waves. The section also discusses the physics of seismic waves and their roles in studying earthquakes, including the P-waves (pressure waves) and S-waves (shear waves) that propagate through Earth's crust at different speeds. The energy of earthquake waves is related to their amplitude, with large-amplitude earthquakes producing more damage. Finally, the section provides worked examples and practice problems for calculating wave properties.