Introduction to Waves

Front

Wave Noun

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[wayv]

Back

Wave

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A disturbance that transfers energy from one location to another without the transfer of matter.

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Example: The image shows a transverse wave with labeled parts, demonstrating how energy moves through a medium without moving the medium itself.

Front

Vibration Noun

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[vahy-brey-shuhn]

Back

Vibration

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A rapid back-and-forth or up-and-down movement of an object that serves as a source of wave energy.

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Example: A spring is compressed and released, showing vibration as a wave moving back-and-forth.

Front

Medium Noun

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[mee-dee-uhm]

Back

Medium

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The substance or material, such as a solid, liquid, or gas, through which a wave can travel.

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Example: Sound waves travel through air, compressing and rarefying air molecules, demonstrating how a medium carries waves.

Front

Mechanical Wave Noun

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[muh-kan-i-kuhl wayv]

Back

Mechanical Wave

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A wave that requires a medium, such as a solid, liquid, or gas, in order to transport its energy.

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Example: The image shows a mechanical wave with labeled compression and rarefaction, explaining energy transport through a medium.

Front

Transverse Wave Noun

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[trans-vurs wayv]

Back

Transverse Wave

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A wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of energy transport.

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Example: The image shows a transverse wave with labeled parts like crest and trough, demonstrating particle movement perpendicular to wave direction.

Front

Crest Noun

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[krest]

Back

Crest

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The point on a transverse wave that exhibits the maximum amount of positive or upward displacement from the rest position.

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Example: The crest is the highest point on this wave diagram, showing maximum upward displacement.

Front

Trough Noun

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[trof]

Back

Trough

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The point on a transverse wave that exhibits the maximum amount of negative or downward displacement from the rest position.

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Example: The image shows a wave with a labeled trough, the lowest point, to explain wave displacement.

Front

Longitudinal Wave Noun

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[lon-ji-tood-n-uhl wayv]

Back

Longitudinal Wave

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A wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction of energy transport.

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Example: A spring is compressed and released, showing particles moving parallel to wave direction, illustrating a longitudinal wave.

Front

Sound Wave Noun

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[sound wayv]

Back

Sound Wave

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A longitudinal wave produced by a vibrating source that travels through a medium, causing the sensation of hearing.

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Example: The image shows how sound waves travel through air, with compressions and rarefactions, and labels for wavelength and amplitude.

Front

Compression Noun

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[kuhm-presh-uhn]

Back

Compression

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A region in a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are crowded together at high pressure.

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Example: The image shows compression in a sound wave, where air molecules are crowded together.