Wave Length & Amplitude: Nature of Energy in a Single Wave

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter caybo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy Nature
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the fundamental aspects of waves, specifically wave length and amplitude, emphasizing their role as a transfer of energy. It highlights that a wave can exist without frequency and that its movement is a result of energy application. The conversation touches on the nature of energy, defining it as the movement that causes waves to propagate. Key concepts such as energy conservation and the initial displacement required to generate a wave are also discussed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic wave properties: wave length and amplitude
  • Familiarity with energy concepts and definitions
  • Knowledge of energy conservation principles
  • Basic grasp of wave mechanics and types of waves (e.g., longitudinal and scalar waves)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical representation of wave length and amplitude
  • Explore the principles of energy transfer in wave mechanics
  • Learn about different types of waves, including longitudinal and scalar waves
  • Investigate the conservation of energy in physical systems
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching wave mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of energy transfer in waves.

caybo
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
viewing a single wave, crest to crest, let's see what its made of, major parts, excluding complicated discoveries, just the plain and simple wave: wave length and Amplitude (and of course new discoveries like longitudal, and scalar waves, and harmonics etc., but I won't get into that here?)

Viewing a detatched wave, you start to realize what a wave really is. let's say you have complete control of the singe wave. it is standing still now, it has no frequency. you speed it up, yet it is still that same single wave. of course you then after thinking (instantly, or a while) remember, or figure out that DUH! its just a simple movement of energy, but then what is energy. Definition defines it as movement of energy, but of course what could possibly cause a movement of energy? why does energy move? how does energy move? I do not know. why is it moving, and how?
 
Science news on Phys.org
a wave would move if energy is applied, as in work done. a wave is just a transfer of energy. the wave includes a initial displacement in which you apply energy, and the waves moves (conservation of energy) bringing that energy along.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Can the energy in two waves cancel out? If so, why?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Constructive interference of harmonic electromagnetic waves
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Energy of Electromagnetic Waves in Destructive Interference
  • · Replies 71 ·
3
Replies
71
Views
10K
Undergrad Mechanism of Energy Conservation in Zero-Amplitude Sum of EM Waveforms
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Undergrad Amplitudes in a Michelson interferometer
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad How to Measure the Energy of an Electromagnetic Wave?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad How is the direction of a harmonic wave expressed?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Can gravitational energy be localized in the case of plane waves?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School Can you measure the amplitude of a specific light wave?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Graduate The coherence length is much longer than the manufacturer claims
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K