Final answer:
The components of a complex wave are called harmonics, related by whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency. Wave properties such as speed, frequency, and amplitude follow specific mathematical relationships. Superposition is the phenomenon where simple waves combine to form complex waves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The components of a complex wave are called harmonics, and they relate to each other mathematically. Each harmonic following the first and slowest, called the fundamental frequency, will have a frequency that is a whole number multiple of the fundamental frequency. Wave motion obeys the relationship where the speed at which a wave moves equals the frequency times the wavelength, and this can be mathematically expressed. In a phenomenon called superposition, complex waves arise from the combination of two or more simple waves that merge at the same location and time. Amplitude is important as it is related to the wave's intensity, which affects properties such as brightness for light and loudness for sound.