A Little Wave Action

In addition, the term wavelength refers to the distance between a point on one wave cycle and the same point on the next wave cycle; for example, the distance between the exact middle of two sequential peaks. And finally, amplitude refers to the height from the particle's rest position to the peak. As energy is dissipated, and the wave moves away from its source, the peaks get shorter and the amplitude of the wave becomes less.

To get an image of these measurement terms, make a drawing for yourself. First draw a straight line across your paper. Then, draw a wavy line over that straight line so that there are troughs below the line and peaks above the line.

Now label your drawing as follows: the dips are troughs, the highest points on the curves are peaks, and at each point where the curvy line crosses the straight line, the particle is in its rest position.

Next, draw a horizontal line between the low points on two sequential troughs. That line represents the wavelength.

And finally, draw a vertical line between one of the peaks and the straight long straight line in your drawing. That height represents the wave's amplitude. Your lines and curve should look a little like the drawing below.

Now you know how a wave is measured -- by its frequency, or the number of complete waves that pass a certain point in one second; by its wavelength, or the distance between the same point in two cycles, such as from one trough to the next; and by its amplitude, or the height from the particle's rest position (on the line in our drawing) and the peak above it.

NEXT UP: Oh, Behave! (Making More Waves)

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