Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space.

Front

What is the period of a wave?

Back

Time taken to produce one wave.

Front

What is frequency in the context of waves?

Back

# of oscillations produced in a certain amount of time.

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

The maximum distance the wave oscillates from its resting position.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

The distance from crest to crest (or trough to trough) in a wave.

Front

What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?

Back

Longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer, while transverse waves oscillate perpendicular.

Front

What is wave speed?

Back

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium.

Front

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Back

Higher frequency waves have shorter wavelengths, and lower frequency waves have longer wavelengths.

Front

What is wave intensity?

Back

The power carried by a wave per unit area, proportional to the square of the amplitude.

Front

What is the principle of superposition?

Back

When two or more waves overlap, the resulting wave displacement is the sum of the individual displacements.