Waves: Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

Front

What are transverse waves?

Back

Transverse waves are waves in which the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Examples include light waves and waves on a string.

Front

What are longitudinal waves?

Back

Longitudinal waves are waves in which the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Examples include sound waves.

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.

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 the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Back

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

Front

What is the visible spectrum?

Back

The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye, ranging from approximately 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red).

Front

What are gamma rays?

Back

Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves with the highest frequencies and shortest wavelengths, typically emitted by radioactive materials.

Front

What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum from lowest to highest frequency?

Back

The order is: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.

Front

What is the energy of a wave?

Back

The energy of a wave is directly proportional to its frequency; higher frequency waves carry more energy.

Front

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Back

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s).