Waves: Speed, Types, and Characteristics

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through space or matter, typically characterized by its frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

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

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

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

Front

What are transverse waves?

Back

Transverse waves are waves in which the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, such as light waves.

Front

What are longitudinal waves?

Back

Longitudinal waves are waves in which the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation, such as sound waves.

Front

What is constructive interference?

Back

Constructive interference occurs when two waves meet in phase, resulting in a wave of greater amplitude.

Front

What is destructive interference?

Back

Destructive interference occurs when two waves meet out of phase, resulting in a wave of lesser amplitude or cancellation.

Front

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Back

Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa.

Front

What is the speed of a wave?

Back

The speed of a wave is the distance traveled by a wave in a given amount of time, calculated as speed = frequency × wavelength.