While studying waves on a stretched spring, a student notes the following for a particular transverse wave at one instant:
• The first crest occurs at a point that is 12cm from the fixed end of the spring.
• The next crest occurs at 28cm from the same end.
• The greatest displacement of any particle from its mean position is 0.5cm.
Answer the questions that follow.
(i) What is meant by a crest in a transverse wave?
(ii) Explain, with reference to the information given, how the student should mark the wavelength and the amplitude on her displacement–distance graph.
(iii) Distinguish between wavelength and amplitude, mentioning the effect each has on the energy carried by the wave.