A wavelength is classified as the distance between
successive crests and troughs
of waves, crests being an arc shape, trough being a bowl
shape. It is given by the
equation:
The frequency is how often the wavelength completes
itself. It is given by the
equation:
f =
1/T
http://dawnofthenewage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/green-frequency-wavy-lines-26422.jpg
where f is the frequency and T is the period of the
wavelength. The SI unit for
frequency is Hertz (Hz).
Amplitude
Amplitude is the maximum distance moved from
something that vibrates. As shown
in the diagram for a wave to the right, the
amplitude is the highest and lowest
y-coordinate. It is given by the equation:
A =
d/f
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cms/cpg15x/albums/scaled_cache/wavelength_example-400x210.png
where A is the amplitude, d is the displacement,
and f is the frequency. The SI unit for amplitude
is meters (m).
Vibrations
Vibrations are the oscillating motions of some
sort of elastic body such as a piano string
that has a force pushed against it from its
equilibrium position. The strength of the
vibrations and the amount of oscillations it
undergoes are determined by the tension on the
elastic body and the force applied to it. If
there are no other external forces that act on
the elastic body, it will eventually stop
vibrating as its energy begins to dissipate
over time in a process called damping.
According to Newton's First Law of Motion, the
elastic body will not instantly stop vibrating
as soon as it gets back to its equilibrium
position, however, it will eventually get back
to that position because of the restoring
force on the elastic body, which gradually
slows it down.
Piano Strings
The strings in a piano vibrate in order to produce sound. The frequency of the
vibrations determine the pitch of the sound that is
produced by the strings. In order to alter the frequency
of the strings, the widths, the lengths, and the tension forces on the strings are
changed. Wider, lengthier strings are used to produce
deeper sounds while thinner, shorter strings with high
tension forces are used to produce higher tones.