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.

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

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

Front

How do longitudinal waves move?

Back

Longitudinal waves move in the same direction as the wave is traveling.

Front

How do transverse waves move?

Back

Transverse waves move at a right angle to the direction the wave is traveling.

Front

What is the crest of a wave?

Back

The crest is the highest part of a transverse wave.

Front

What is the trough of a wave?

Back

The trough is the lowest part of a transverse wave.

Front

What is 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.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

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

Front

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Back

The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength, and vice versa.