Mechanical Waves

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) transferring energy from one location to another.

Front

What are the two main types of mechanical waves?

Back

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

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 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 crest in a wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

A trough is the lowest point of a wave.

Front

What is compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

What is the wavelength of a wave?

Back

The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

Front

What is frequency in relation to waves?

Back

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