Types 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 a transverse wave?

Back

A wave where the movement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A wave where the movement of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave.

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

The maximum distance from the rest position to the crest or trough.

Front

What are crests in a wave?

Back

The highest points of a transverse wave.

Front

What are troughs in a wave?

Back

The lowest points of a transverse wave.

Front

What are compressions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Regions where particles are close together.

Front

What are rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Regions where particles are spread apart.

Front

Can sound travel through a vacuum?

Back

No, sound requires a medium to travel.