Waves

Waves are patterns that move without

Waves are patterns that move without physical transfer of matter. Transverse waves have particle oscillations perpendicular to wave direction (like wa

A sinusoidal wave is described by

A sinusoidal wave is described by y(x,t) = a sin(kx - ωt + φ), where 'a' is amplitude, 'k' is angular wave number (2π/λ), 'ω' is angular frequency (2π

Wave speed v = ω/k =

Wave speed v = ω/k = λν = λ/T depends on medium properties. For strings: v = √(T/μ) where T is tension and μ is linear mass density. For sound: v = √(

When multiple waves overlap

When multiple waves overlap, the resultant displacement equals the algebraic sum of individual wave displacements: y = y₁ + y₂ + ... This principle ex

Waves reflect differently at boundaries

Waves reflect differently at boundaries: rigid boundaries cause phase reversal (π phase change), while free boundaries reflect without phase change. T