Waves Review

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

An electromagnetic wave is a type of wave that can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium. Examples include light waves, radio waves, and infrared radiation.

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through. Examples include sound waves, water waves, and seismic waves.

Front

What are the two main types of mechanical waves?

Back

The two main types of mechanical waves are transverse waves and longitudinal (compressional) waves.

Front

Define 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. An example is a wave on a string.

Front

Define 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. An example is a sound wave.

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 frequency?

Back

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

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.

Front

What is compression in a wave?

Back

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

Front

What is rarefaction in a wave?

Back

Rarefaction is the region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest apart.