If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

Main content

Introduction to waves

Learn
Introduction to waves
(Opens a modal)
Transverse and longitudinal waves review
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Identifying transverse and longitudinal waves
4 questions

Wave characteristics

Learn
Properties of periodic waves
(Opens a modal)
Wave characteristics review
(Opens a modal)
The equation of a wave
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Characteristics of longitudinal and transverse waves
4 questions
Calculating wave speed, frequency, and wavelength
4 questions
Calculating frequency and wavelength from displacement graphs
4 questions
Wave energy from graphs
4 questions

Wave interference

Learn
Wave interference
(Opens a modal)
Constructive and Destructive interference
(Opens a modal)
Wave interference review
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Predicting wave interference patterns
4 questions

Standing waves

Learn
Standing waves on strings
(Opens a modal)
Standing waves review
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Wavelength and frequency for a standing wave
7 questions
Calculating frequency for harmonics of a standing wave
4 questions

Sound

Learn
Production of sound
(Opens a modal)
Sound Properties: Amplitude, period, frequency, wavelength
(Opens a modal)
Speed of Sound
(Opens a modal)
Relative speed of sound in solids, liquids, and gases
(Opens a modal)
Decibel Scale
(Opens a modal)
Why do sounds get softer?
(Opens a modal)
Ultrasound medical imaging
(Opens a modal)
Standing waves in open tubes
(Opens a modal)
Standing waves in closed tubes
(Opens a modal)
Introduction to sound review
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Wavelength and frequency for sound waves in tubes
4 questions
Pressure and displacement of sound waves in tubes
4 questions

Beats and interference of sound waves

Learn
Beat frequency
(Opens a modal)
Beats and interference of sound waves review
(Opens a modal)
Derivation of beat frequency formula
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Analyzing the interference of sound waves and beats
4 questions

The Doppler effect

Learn
Doppler effect introduction
(Opens a modal)
Doppler effect review
(Opens a modal)
Doppler effect formula for observed frequency
(Opens a modal)
Doppler effect formula when source is moving away
(Opens a modal)
When the source and the wave move at the same velocity
(Opens a modal)
Doppler effect for a moving observer
(Opens a modal)
Doppler effect: reflection off a moving object
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Doppler effect: Wavefront diagrams and word problems
4 questions

About this unit

Waves are responsible for basically every form of communication we use. Whether you're talking out loud or texting on your phone, there's going to be a wave transmitting information. Learn the fundamentals of waves and sound in this unit.