Waves and Wave Properties

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

The two main types of waves are mechanical waves (which require a medium) and electromagnetic waves (which do not require a medium).

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What is frequency?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Back

As frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa, when the speed of the wave is constant.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What are the parts of a transverse wave?

Back

The parts of a transverse wave include crests (the highest points) and troughs (the lowest points).

Front

What are compressions and rarefactions?

Back

In a longitudinal wave, compressions are regions where particles are close together, and rarefactions are regions where particles are spread apart.

Front

What is wave speed?

Back

Wave speed is the distance a wave travels per unit of time, calculated as speed = wavelength × frequency.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What is the medium in wave propagation?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2