Waves

Waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter. Wave motion (the movement of waves) can be shown by the vibrations of a spring or by water waves.

**Water: **When a wave travels along the surface of the water, a cork floating on the surface of the water will only move up and down as the wave passes.

Springs - transverse waves: Hold one end of a horizontal spring in a fixed position and move the other end of the spring up and down. We can observe a wave moving from the end we are holding towards the fixed end of the spring.

Wave Speed Formula

We can calculate wave speed by multiplying the frequency of the wave by its wavelength. The unit for wave speed is metres per second (m/s).

v = f x λ