PCS 125 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Wave Model, Wavenumber, Angular Frequency
Document Summary
In the previous diagram, the brown wave represents the initial position. As the wave moves toward the right, it will eventually be at the position of the blue curve. Each element moves up and down in simple harmonic motion. This is the motion of the elements of the medium. It is important to distinguish between the motion of the wave and the motion of the elements of the medium. Allows us to explore more analysis models for solving problems. Ideal waves can be combined to build complex waves. This model is used in situations in which a wave moves through space without interacting with other waves or particles. The crest of the wave is the location of the maximum displacement of the element from its normal position. The wavelength, l , is the distance from one crest to the next. More generally, the wavelength is the minimum distance between any two identical points on adjacent waves.
