15: Waves and Vibrations Last updated Nov 5, 2020 Save as PDF 14.5: The Third Law of Thermodynamics 15.1: Introduction Page ID14535 BoundlessBoundless ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) Topic hierarchy15.1: IntroductionA wave is an oscillation that travels through space, accompanied by a transfer of energy.15.2: Hooke’s LawHooke’s law of elasticity is an approximation that states that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the load applied to it.15.3: Periodic MotionThe period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, while the frequency is the number of cycles per unit time.15.4: Damped and Driven OscillationsOver time, the damped harmonic oscillator’s motion will be reduced to a stop.15.5: WavesWave motion transfers energy from one point to another, usually without permanent displacement of the particles of the medium.15.6: Wave Behavior and InteractionWhen the medium changes, a wave often experiences partial transmission and partial refection at the interface.15.7: Waves on StringsThe speed of a wave on a string can be found by multiplying the wavelength by the frequency or by dividing the wavelength by the period.