Phys1070: intro physics for life sci - lecture 2: travelling waves. Create ripples - particles that oscillate up and down just like a spring. It is easy to envision one wave from the side, however we know waves travel in time, therefore there are many ripples overlapping each other. Waves travel forward in both time and space. Therefore we need a mathematical formula of our wave which is dependent on both: Amplitude - same for minimum displacement (just below axes instead) W = angular frequency or change in angle with respect to time. K = wave vector (or number) or change in angle with respect to position (space) + or - according to direction wave is traveling in. + is the wave is traveling in the negative direction. Is the wave is traveling in the positive direction. Time required to oscillate through one complete cycle. It takes 1 full period to travel 1 full wavelength.