Mechanical Waves

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) transferring energy from one location to another.

Front

What are the two main types of mechanical waves?

Back

The two main types of mechanical waves are longitudinal waves and transverse waves.

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A longitudinal wave is a type of wave where the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave's travel.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A transverse wave is a type of wave where the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.

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

What is compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Compression is the region in a longitudinal wave where particles are closest together.

Front

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

What is the definition of amplitude in a wave?

Back

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

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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