Wave Characteristics

You find waves all around you just about everywhere.  They are part of your everyday experience.  In this topic, you will discover what all waves have in common and how they differ.  You will also learn the vocabulary to describe waves and understand the relationships between different wave characteristics.

Essential Questions:

• What terms do you use to describe different parts of a wave?
• What are the different types of waves and how are they distinguished from one another?
• How is wave speed calculated, and what is the relationship between wave speed, frequency and wavelength?