wave patterns
Undulating periodic shapes
Wave patterns are the recurring shapes or configurations that waves create, whether in water, sound, light, or other media.
The term applies to physical phenomena—ripples in a pond, oscillations on an oscilloscope—and to decorative motifs inspired by them: The fabric featured traditional Japanese wave patterns.
In technical contexts, wave patterns describe how energy propagates through space.
- ocean wavesMoving ridges of seawater
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- crestHighest point or tuft
- rippleMinor surface disturbance
- frequencyRate of recurrence
diffraction · tidal flow · wavelength · periodicity · interference · resonance · trough · circadian rhythm · wavefront · oscillation · harmonic motion · phase shift · undulation · modulation · turbulence · brain waves · pulse · polarization
- folk patternshex signs, kente, kente cloth, mudcloth, kilim
- soundsound, sound waves, echoes, acoustics, vibrations
- Beach Photographyseascapes, beach scenes, surf photography, sunrise shots, tide pools
- seascapesseascape, seascapes, ocean view, coastal view, coastal scenes
- natural beautyrock formations, ice crystals, snowflakes, sand dunes, spiderwebs
- ancient artsculpture, sculptures, pottery, mosaics, murals
wave patternsstraight lines
Unbent one-dimensional figures
flat lines · horizontal lines · vertical lines · parallel lines
wave patternsgeometric patterns
Arrangements of regular shapes
zigzag patterns · straight lines · sharp angles · right angles · parallel lines