Types of Waves & Their Parts

Front

What is a Transverse Wave?

Back

A type of wave where the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, such as light waves.

Front

What is a Compressional (Longitudinal) Wave?

Back

A type of wave where the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation, such as sound waves.

Front

What is Wavelength?

Back

The distance between two consecutive peaks (or troughs) in a wave.

Front

What is Frequency?

Back

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

Front

What is Amplitude?

Back

The maximum displacement of points on a wave from its rest position, indicating the wave's energy.

Front

What is Rarefaction?

Back

The region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart.

Front

What is Compression?

Back

The region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together.

Front

What are Mechanical Waves?

Back

Waves that require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through, such as sound and water waves.

Front

What are Electromagnetic Waves?

Back

Waves that do not require a medium to travel through and can move through a vacuum, such as light waves.

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.