Wave Properties

Front

Wave Noun

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[wayv]

Back

Wave

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A disturbance that carries energy through matter or space without transferring the matter itself.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, labeling its key properties: the highest point (crest), lowest point (trough), distance from equilibrium (amplitude), and crest-to-crest distance (wavelength).

Front

Wave Pulse Noun

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[wayv puls]

Back

Wave Pulse

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A single, non-repeating disturbance or bump that travels through a medium or space.

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Example: This diagram shows a wave pulse, a single disturbance, traveling along a line. The top shows the pulse at the start, and the bottom shows it has moved to the right after some time.

Front

Periodic Wave Noun

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[peer-ee-od-ik wayv]

Back

Periodic Wave

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A wave that repeats its pattern at a constant rate, generated by a continuous and regular disturbance.

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Example: A periodic wave repeats in a regular pattern. This diagram shows its key parts: the peak (high point), trough (low point), amplitude (height), and wavelength (length of one cycle).

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 physical medium, such as water, air, or a solid, to travel through.

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Example: A hand moving a spring up and down creates a disturbance that travels along the spring as a wave, transferring energy through the medium.

Front

Transverse Wave Noun

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[trans-vurs wayv]

Back

Transverse Wave

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A wave that causes particles of the medium to vibrate perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, labeling its key parts: the highest point (crest), lowest point (trough), height from the center (amplitude), and distance between crests (wavelength).

Front

Crest Noun

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[krest]

Back

Crest

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The highest point of a transverse wave, representing the maximum positive displacement from the equilibrium position.

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Example: This diagram uses an arrow to clearly label the 'Crest' as the highest point of a wave, distinguishing it from the trough and equilibrium line.

Front

Trough Noun

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[trof]

Back

Trough

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The lowest point of a transverse wave, representing the maximum negative displacement from the equilibrium position.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple wave, with an arrow pointing to the 'Trough,' which is the lowest point of the wave.

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 the disturbance of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave's travel.

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Example: This diagram shows a sound wave, a type of longitudinal wave, where particles vibrate back and forth creating areas of compression and rarefaction.

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 closest together.

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Example: This diagram shows how pushing a spring creates a longitudinal wave with a 'Compression region,' where the coils are bunched together.

Front

Surface Wave Noun

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[sur-fis wayv]

Back

Surface Wave

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A wave where particles move in a circular path, occurring at the boundary between two different media.

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Example: This diagram shows a surface wave, labeling its key parts like the crest and trough. It uniquely illustrates how water molecules move in a circular motion as the wave passes.