Wave Properties

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

Mechanical waves (require a medium, e.g., sound waves) and electromagnetic waves (do not require a medium, e.g., light waves).

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

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

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 frequency and wavelength?

Back

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

Front

What is a crest in a wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

A trough is the lowest point of a wave.

Front

How does energy relate to amplitude?

Back

Higher amplitude means greater energy in the wave; lower amplitude means less energy.

Front

What happens to the energy of a wave as its frequency increases?

Back

As frequency increases, the energy of the wave also increases.