Below is a diagram of the various parts of a wave.
Credits: SECOORA
- Crest - this is the peak or the highest point of the wave
- Trough - this is the lowest point or the depression of the wave
- Wave front - this is the imaginary line or surface from which the wave originates; it is the rest position or equilibrium position for the particles
- Amplitude - this is the maximum displacement of any wave particle from its rest position or equilibrium position
- Wavelength ($\lambda$) - this is the distance between two successive crests or troughs or corresponding parts of the wave
- Oscillation - this is the vibrating action to move from one crest or trough to another successive crest or trough. It is referred to as a cycle - it is a complete to-and-fro movement of a particle on the wave
The oscillation is the minimal repeating motion for a wave
Other terms associated with waves
- Frequency ($f$) - this is the number of complete oscillations made in one second and is measured in hertz. A hertz ($Hz$) is equivalent to a per second: $$ \begin{equation}\begin{aligned} 1\ Hz=\frac{1}{1\ s}=1\ s^{-1}\\ \end{aligned}\end{equation} $$
- Period ($T$) - this is the time it takes to complete one oscillation. Period is measured in seconds ($s$)
- Speed ($v$) - the rate at which a wave propagates in a given direction. We know that speed is measured in metres per second ($ms^{-1}$)