Intro to 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 longitudinal waves and transverse 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.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

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

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 amplitude?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that the particles of a wave move from their rest position, indicating the wave's energy.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

Frequency is the number of complete waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time, usually measured in Hertz (Hz).

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.

Front

What type of wave is sound?

Back

Sound is a longitudinal wave.

Front

What type of wave is light?

Back

Light is a transverse wave.