Wave phenomena occur when a disturbance of a system travels or propagates from one region to another region. Disturbance is the oscillation of particles from their equilibrium position or mean position.
The maximum displacement of a wave from the mean position is known as amplitude.
There are two types of wave:
- Longitudinal waves : Oscillation of the individual particles is parallel to the direction of travel of the wave.
- Transverse waves : Oscillation of the individual particles is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave.

The distance travelled by a wave in one cycle is called the wavelength and is denoted by λ.

The time taken by a particle to complete one oscillation is called the time period of the wave and is denoted by T.

The number of oscillations a particle undergoes in one second is called the frequency of the wave and it is denoted by f.
Frequency (f) is the reciprocal of the time period (T).
Mathematically,
Frequency (f) = $\frac{1}{Time Period (T)}$
Displacement-Distance graph
- It is the snapshot of the wave at a particular instant.
- It is mostly used to determine the amplitude and the wavelength of the wave.

Displacement- Time graph
- It represents a single particle of wave oscillating through time.
- It is mostly used to determine the amplitude, time period and frequency of the wave.

The slope of the displacement-time graph gives the velocity of the particles at that instant of time. The particle has maximum velocity while moving towards or away from the equilibrium andhas zero velocity at maximum displacement.

7.01 - Progressive Waves I

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