Properties of 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

Transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

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 points on a wave, such as the crest or trough, move from their rest position.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

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

Front

How does the medium affect wave speed?

Back

The speed of a wave depends on the type of medium it travels through; waves travel faster in solids than in liquids and gases.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

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

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave's travel.

Front

What is compression in a wave?

Back

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

Front

What is rarefaction in a wave?

Back

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