Waves Review

Front

Wave Noun

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[wayv]

Back

Wave

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A disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring matter, typically caused by a vibration.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, labeling its key parts: the highest point (crest), lowest point (trough), height from equilibrium (amplitude), and length.

Front

Medium Noun

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[mee-dee-um]

Back

Medium

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The material, such as a solid, liquid, or gas, through which a wave travels to transport its energy.

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Example: Mechanical waves transfer energy by traveling through a substance, like water, a rope, or a spring, which is called the medium.

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 to travel through, transferring energy via the vibration and collision of particles.

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Example: A hand moving a spring up and down creates a disturbance that travels along the spring as a wave, demonstrating how mechanical waves transfer energy through a medium.

Front

Electromagnetic Wave Noun

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[ih-lek-troh-mag-net-ik wayv]

Back

Electromagnetic Wave

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A wave composed of vibrating electric and magnetic fields that does not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, a range of waves with different wavelengths, from high-energy gamma rays to low-energy radio waves.

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 vibrate perpendicular, or at right angles, to the direction of wave travel.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, labeling its highest point (peak), lowest point (trough), height from the center (amplitude), and length of one cycle (wavelength).

Front

Longitudinal Wave Noun

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[lon-ji-too-din-uhl wayv]

Back

Longitudinal Wave

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A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate back and forth, parallel to the direction of the wave's travel.

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Example: A speaker creates a longitudinal wave by pushing air molecules into areas of high pressure (compression) and low pressure (rarefaction) that travel outwards.

Front

Surface Wave Noun

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[sur-fis wayv]

Back

Surface Wave

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A combination of a transverse and a longitudinal wave where particles of the medium move in a circular motion.

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Example: This diagram shows a surface wave, where energy travels along the water's surface, causing water particles to move in a circular motion underneath.

Front

Crest Noun

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[krest]

Back

Crest

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

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Example: This diagram shows a wave, and the label 'crest' points to the highest point of the wave, which is its peak.

Front

Trough Noun

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[trof]

Back

Trough

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

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Example: This diagram shows a wave, and the arrow labeled 'Trough' points to the lowest point of the wave, which is its definition.

Front

Compression Noun

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[kum-presh-un]

Back

Compression

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An area in a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are crowded closely together under high pressure.

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Example: A longitudinal wave is created by pushing a spring, causing areas where the coils are squeezed together (compression) to travel along the spring.