Mechanical Waves

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A disturbance that carries energy through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas).

Front

What are the two main types of mechanical waves?

Back

Longitudinal waves and transverse waves.

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A wave where the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation, characterized by compressions and rarefactions.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A wave where the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, characterized by crests and troughs.

Front

What is a medium in the context of waves?

Back

The substance through which a wave travels, which can be solid, liquid, or gas.

Front

What is a crest in a transverse wave?

Back

The highest point of a transverse wave.

Front

What is a trough in a transverse wave?

Back

The lowest point of a transverse wave.

Front

What is compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

A region where particles are close together, resulting in increased pressure.

Front

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

A region where particles are spread apart, resulting in decreased pressure.

Front

How do waves on a rope behave?

Back

They are transverse waves, where the motion of the rope is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.