2.1.1. Characteristics of Waves

Important terms associated with waves are:

♤ Wave crest and trough: The highest and lowest points of a wave are called the crest and trough respectively.

♤ Wave height: It is the vertical distance from the bottom of a trough to the top of a crest of a wave.

♤ Wave amplitude: It is one-half of the wave height.

♤ Wave period: It is the time interval between two successive wave crests or troughs as they pass a fixed point.

♤ Wavelength: It is the horizontal distance between two successive crests.

♤ Wave speed: It is the rate at which the wave moves through the water, and is measured in knots.

♤ Wave frequency: It is the number of waves passing a given point during a one second time interval.