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Waves

The distance between two peaks of a wave is the wavelength and the distance from the rest position to a peak (or trough) is the amplitude.

Transverse waves, for example light and earthquake S-waves, vibrate at 90 degrees to their direction of motion whereas longitudinal waves vibrate along the direction of travel.

The speed of a wave can be calculated using this equation:

speed = frequency x wavelength

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Waves - Diagram

Waves Diagram
Fig 3.18. - Waves Diagram.

Full Size Waves Diagram