Waves

A wave transfers energy without transferring matter. The key quantities are wavelength $\lambda$, frequency $f$, period $T$ and speed $v$.

The wave equation

$$v = f\lambda \qquad f = \frac{1}{T}$$

Worked example. A sound wave has frequency $340$ Hz and wavelength $1.0$ m. Speed $v = f\lambda = 340 \times 1.0 = 340$ m s⁻¹.