it is represented with the greek letter Lambda which looks like an upsidedown lowercase "y"
wavelength... in essence the length of the wave from crest to crest or from "node to node," or half of one period (T).
One period is actually the time it takes for one full oscillation. It would be better if I could draw it here to show you.
If you know what a sine wave looks like... a sideways "s"-- kinda like this ~. You see how there is a maximum, a minimum and 3 "null points" (where it's right in the middle of the max and min)? That's a representation of one period.
and one period is the time it takes for two wavelengths.
and I guess you've heard of "frequency" well frequency is just 1/(period) [f=1/T]. the number of oscillations in 1 second. So if a sound has a frequency of 440 Hz(hertz) that means it's vibrating 440 times per second. and it takes 1/440 seconds for one vibration.
well, that's the VERY basics of that. It's hard to explain without being able to show you. If you're really interrested, it's the part of physics known as accoustics. If you're in college, there's usually a course for the music majors called "accoustics and sound" or something like that, which youcan take. If you're out of college, try takiing it at your comminity college. And if you're younger, take high school physics. Or if you're younger still, ask your science teacher about it.
=)
-Mike
[Edited by dj funkifize on 02-16-2001 at 05:54 PM]