Properties of Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

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 amplitude in a wave?

Back

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

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Front

What is frequency?

Back

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

Front

How does energy relate to wave amplitude?

Back

The energy carried by a wave is directly proportional to the square of its amplitude.

Front

What is the crest of a wave?

Back

The crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is the trough of a wave?

Back

The trough is the lowest point of a wave.