The Physics of Vibrations

Waves and oscillations describe how energy moves through matter and space. This covers everything from sound waves in music to light waves from the Sun.

Key Concepts

• Oscillation: Repeated back-and-forth motion, like a swinging pendulum.
• Wave Properties: Wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed.
• Types of Waves: Mechanical (sound, water) and electromagnetic (light, radio).

Real-World Connections

Waves are behind how we hear, see, and communicate. Musical instruments, earthquakes, and cell phones all rely on wave principles.

Simple Formula

The speed of a wave can be found with:

\[ v = f\lambda \]

Where \( v \) is wave speed, \( f \) is frequency, and \( \lambda \) is wavelength.