Wave speed
Definition
Wave speed refers to how fast a wave travels through a medium. It is determined by dividing the distance traveled by the time taken for one complete cycle of oscillation.
Analogy
Think about riding on a boat across a lake with small waves. If you row faster, your boat will cover more distance in less time. Similarly, if a wave has higher frequency (more cycles per second) or shorter wavelength (shorter distance between peaks), it will travel faster through its medium.
Related terms
Frequency: The number of complete cycles or oscillations per unit time.
Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in phase with each other.
Amplitude: The maximum displacement from equilibrium position in either direction for particles in a medium carrying waves.
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