Figure 7.5 Phase difference. One of the characteristics of a progressive wave is that it carries energy. The amount of energy passing through unit area per unit time is called the intensity of the wave. The intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude of a wave. Thus, doubling the amplitude of a wave increases the intensity of the wave by a factor of four. The intensity also depends on the frequency: intensity is proportional to the square of the frequency. Thus, dr for a wave of amplitude A and frequency f, the intensity / is proportional to 4’f2 If the waves from a point source spread out equally in all directions, we h what is called a spherical wave. As the wave travels further from the source, the energy it carries passes through an increasingly large area. Since the surface area of a sphere is 4m, the intensity is W/4nr?, where Wis the power of the source. The intensity of the wave thus decreases with increasing distance from the source. > The intensity I is proportional to 1/?, where ris the distance from the source. This relationship assumes that there is no absorption of wave energy. Wave equation From the definition of wavelength A, in one cycle of the source the wave energy moves a distance ). In fcycles, the wave moves a distance /. It fis the frequency of the wave, then f cycles are produced in unit time. Therefore Pris the distance moved in unit time. Referring to Chapter 2, speed c is the Ulistaice moved per unit time, Therefore Hw o=fh, or