Waves

Front

What is 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

The two main types of waves are mechanical waves (which require a medium to travel through) and electromagnetic waves (which can travel through a vacuum).

Front

What is the crest of a wave?

Back

The crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is the trough of a wave?

Back

The trough is the lowest point of a wave.

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that the particles of a medium move from their resting position when a wave passes through.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

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 frequency and wavelength?

Back

The frequency and wavelength of a wave are inversely related; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases.

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

An electromagnetic wave is a wave that can travel through matter and empty space, such as light waves.

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 travel.