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Physics Online
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Wave terminology -wavelength, period, amplitude and phase difference
This video uses a jelly baby wave machine to introduce the motional properties of progressive and standing waves and to introduce key terminology.
A displacement – distance graph is used to define wavelength (λ) and the phase of a wave. A complete wave cycle is 360⁰ and from this the position of a particle along a wave is describe in terms of fractions of a whole wave cycle in degrees.
A displacement – time graph is used to define the time period (T) or the time required for a complete wave cycle and amplitude (A) or the maximum displacement of the particle (jelly baby) along the wave.
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