Units
Units
##Introduction to Units
- Units are standard quantities used to specify measurements.
- All physical quantities are measured in terms of units.
- The science of waves involves units that measure properties like amplitude, frequency, wavelength, and speed.
##Amplitude Units
- Amplitude is a measure of the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position during one wave cycle.
- The standard unit of amplitude is the metre (m).
- In certain contexts, other units can be used, such as decibels (dB) for sound amplitude.
##Frequency Units
- Frequency refers to the number of complete wave cycles per second.
- The standard unit for frequency is the hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz equals one cycle per second.
- Other units used are kilohertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz), and gigahertz (GHz), especially in the context of radio and audio frequencies.
##Wavelength Units
- Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in the same phase.
- Wavelength is typically measured in metres (m), but can also be measured in nanometres (nm) and picometres (pm) for very small wavelengths such as those of light waves.
##Speed Units
- Speed of a wave is the speed with which a wave point, such as a crest, travels.
- Speed is usually given in metres per second (m/s).
- In the context of light waves, speed can also be given in kilometres per second (km/s) or as a constant, the speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s).
##Time Period Units
- The time period is defined as the time it takes for one full cycle of the wave.
- This is measured in seconds (s).
##Wave Number Units
- The wave number is the spatial frequency of the wave, measured in cycles per unit distance or radians per unit distance.
- It is typically measured in reciprocal meters (1/m).
By understanding these units and how they relate to waves, you will be able to accurately describe, measure, and predict wave behaviour.