Waves & Wave Properties

Front

What is the definition of a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

Mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

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Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through.

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Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

An electromagnetic wave is a wave that can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium.

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Front

What is the wavelength of a wave?

Back

The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest or trough to trough.

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Front

What is the amplitude of a wave?

Back

The amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from the rest position.

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Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A transverse wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's propagation.

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave's propagation.

Front

What are compressions and rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Compressions are regions where particles are close together, and rarefactions are regions where particles are spread apart.

Front

What is the trough of a wave?

Back

The trough is the lowest point of a transverse wave.