Mechanical Waves

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) and transfers energy from one location to another.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What are the two main types of mechanical waves?

Back

The two main types of mechanical waves are transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

Front

Define 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 travel.

Front

Define 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 travel.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from their rest position, indicating the wave's energy.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-5

Front

What is frequency?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What is the wave equation?

Back

The wave equation is v = λ x f, where v is the wave speed, λ is the wavelength, and f is the frequency.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What is a crest in a wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

A trough is the lowest point of a wave.