Name and describe the properties of waves. At least 5 Properties. You must number and describe each property separately.
1. Amplitude: Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its equilibrium position. In other words, it is a measure of the energy or intensity of the wave. For example, in a sound wave, the amplitude determines the loudness of the sound, while in a light wave, it determines the brightness.
2. Wavelength: Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive, equivalent points on a wave, typically measured between two adjacent peaks (high points) or troughs (low points). Wavelength is inversely proportional to wave frequency, meaning that as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.
3. Frequency: Frequency is the number of complete oscillations or cycles a wave completes per unit of time, typically measured in Hertz (Hz). Frequency affects the pitch of a sound wave and the color of a light wave. Higher frequency waves have higher energy, while lower frequency waves have lower energy.
4. Speed: The speed of a wave refers to the rate at which a single wave crest or trough travels through space. Wave speed depends on the properties of the medium through which the wave is traveling. For example, sound waves travel faster in solids compared to liquids or gases, while the speed of light in air is slightly slower than in a vacuum.
5. Polarization: Polarization is a property of transverse waves (e.g., electromagnetic waves such as light) that describes the orientation of oscillations in space. Specifically, it refers to the direction in which the wave's electric field vector oscillates. An unpolarized wave has electric field vectors that oscillate in multiple planes, while a polarized wave has electric field vectors that oscillate in a single plane. Polarization is important in applications such as 3D glasses, satellite communication, and radar technology.