Question

wave properties review
directions. answer the question about wavelength.

what is the wavelength of the wave above?
______ meters

Explanation:

Step1: Recall wavelength definition

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive identical points (e.g., crests, troughs, or zero - crossing points in the same phase) on a wave.

Step2: Identify consecutive points

Looking at the wave graph, we can use the zero - crossing points (where the wave crosses the distance axis) that are in the same phase. For example, the wave crosses the distance axis at \(x = 0\), \(x = 2\), \(x = 4\), \(x = 6\), \(x = 8\). The distance between two consecutive zero - crossing points that are in the same phase (e.g., from \(x = 0\) to \(x = 4\) or from \(x = 2\) to \(x = 6\) or from \(x = 4\) to \(x = 8\)) is \(4\) meters. We can also check using crests or troughs. The distance between two consecutive crests (or troughs) will also give the wavelength. The first crest is around \(x = 1\), the next crest is around \(x = 5\), and the distance between \(x = 1\) and \(x = 5\) is \(4\) meters. Similarly, the distance between two consecutive troughs (e.g., around \(x = 3\) and \(x = 7\)) is also \(4\) meters.

Answer:

\(4\)