Wave and Sound Terminology

Front

Amplitude

Back

The height of a wave's crest.

Front

Compression

Back

The part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together.

Front

Crest

Back

The highest point of a wave.

Front

Electromagnetic wave

Back

A wave that can travel through the vacuum of outer space.

Front

Frequency

Back

The number of complete waves that pass a given point in a certain amount of time.

Front

Longitudinal wave

Back

A wave in which the vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels.

Front

Mechanical wave

Back

A wave that requires a medium through which to travel.

Front

Medium

Back

Material through which a wave travels.

Front

Rarefaction

Back

The part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart.

Front

Transverse wave

Back

A wave that moves the medium in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels.