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A wave travelling along a rope
Age 16 · Science
A wave is a disturbance that moves through a medium, carrying energy without carrying the material along. Its speed equals the wavelength divided by the period, v = λ/T.
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Age 16: open this week
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In the picture
- A crest: the highest point of the ripple
- Wavelength λ: the distance between two neighbouring crests
- A ball on the rope: it only moves up and down
- Direction of travel: the pattern moves to the right at speed v
Examples
- A ripple spreading across a pond while a floating leaf only bobs up and down
- A stadium wave where the pattern travels round but each fan stays in their seat
Key takeaways
- Waves transfer energy, not matter: the medium only oscillates around its position.
- Wave speed v = λ/T, which is also v = λ × f.
Quiz: A wave travelling along a rope (Age 16)
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A wave travels along a medium such as a rope. What does it carry from one place to another?
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A wave has a wavelength of 2 m and a period of 0.5 s. What is its speed?
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Which expression is also equal to the wave speed v = λ/T?
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