Wave Properties

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a repeating disturbance or vibration that transfers or moves energy from place to place.

Front

What type of wave vibrates back and forth parallel to the motion the energy travels?

Back

Longitudinal/Compressional wave.

Front

What happens to energy when the wavelength is longer?

Back

Longer wavelengths equal lower energy.

Front

What do all waves have in common?

Back

Waves transfer energy and not matter.

Front

What is the area called where particles are close together in a compressional wave?

Back

Compression.

Front

What is the opposite of compression in a compressional wave?

Back

Rarefaction.

Front

What is amplitude in relation to waves?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that the particles of a wave's medium move from their rest position.

Front

What is frequency in the context of waves?

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 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 energy.

Front

What is the crest of a wave?

Back

The crest is the highest point of a wave.