Wave and Motion Concepts

Front

amplitude

Back

the distance from the equilibrium position to the maximum or minimum intensity of a wave.

Front

electromagnetic wave

Back

oscillating electric and magnetic fields that need no physical medium through which to travel.

Front

frequency (f)

Back

the number of wavelengths that pass a given point per second; SI unit is the Hertz (Hz).

Front

harmonic motion

Back

the repetition of a wave with a constant frequency.

Front

longitudinal wave

Back

a wave that vibrates in the direction of propagation (e.g. sound waves).

Front

mechanical wave

Back

a wave requiring a physical medium through which to travel.

Front

period (T)

Back

the time it takes for one wave cycle to occur; SI unit is seconds (s).

Front

transverse wave

Back

a wave that vibrates perpendicular to the direction of propagation (e.g. electromagnetic waves).

Front

wavelength (λ)

Back

The distance between two waves that includes one full compression and one full rarefaction of a sound wave or one full crest and one full trough of an electromagnetic wave; SI unit is meters (m).