Frequency
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Frequency
Denoted as . It is the number of occurrences of a repeating event that a certain point would undergo per unit time. So in the case of a wave, it is how many times the same point on a wave occurs within a given period.
[cycles/unit time or ]
- Related Glossary Terms
- Index
Glossary and deeper reading · 2 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Amplitude
Amplitude is the maximum magnitude of a repeating disturbance measured from its equilibrium value. It describes the size of the oscillation rather than its frequency or propagation speed. For example, pulling a spring-mounted mass farther from equilibrium increases its oscillation amplitude when it is released from rest.
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Wavelength
Wavelength is the spatial distance between neighboring points at the same phase of a periodic wave. It connects propagation speed and frequency through speed equal to frequency times wavelength. For example, neighboring crests of a sinusoidal water wave are separated by one wavelength.