Mechanical Waves

Front

Mechanical Wave Noun

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[muh-kan-i-kuhl weyv]

Back

Mechanical Wave

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A disturbance in matter that transfers energy through the matter without transferring the matter itself.

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Example: A hand's motion creates a disturbance that travels as a wave along the spring. This shows how a mechanical wave transfers energy through a medium.

Front

Medium Noun

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[mee-dee-uhm]

Back

Medium

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The matter, which can be a solid, liquid, or gas, through which a mechanical wave travels.

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Example: A mechanical wave needs a medium, which is the matter it travels through. This image shows the three states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) that can act as a medium.

Front

Vibration Noun

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[vahy-brey-shuhn]

Back

Vibration

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A repeating, regular, or back-and-forth motion that is the source of a wave.

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Example: A pendulum swings back and forth in a repeating motion, which is a clear example of a vibration around a central point.

Front

Oscillation Noun

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[os-uh-ley-shuhn]

Back

Oscillation

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A repeating and regular back-and-forth motion of a particle across its equilibrium point.

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Example: This diagram shows an oscillation as a repeating wave pattern, moving up and down around a central equilibrium line, like a vibration traveling through space.

Front

Equilibrium Noun

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[ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm]

Back

Equilibrium

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The rest position or the central point from which a particle in a medium is displaced by a wave.

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Example: This diagram shows that the equilibrium of a mechanical wave is the straight, horizontal line representing the medium's original rest position before it was disturbed.

Front

Transverse Wave Noun

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[trans-vurs weyv]

Back

Transverse Wave

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A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

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

Front

Longitudinal Wave Noun

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

Back

Longitudinal Wave

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A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.

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Example: This diagram shows a longitudinal wave, where particles move back and forth parallel to the wave's direction, creating areas of compression and rarefaction.

Front

Surface Wave Noun

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[sur-fis weyv]

Back

Surface Wave

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

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Example: This diagram shows that as a surface wave moves through a medium like water, the individual particles of the medium move in a circular path.

Front

Crest Noun

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[krest]

Back

Crest

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The highest point of displacement of a transverse wave from the equilibrium position.

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Example: This diagram of a mechanical wave uses a label and an arrow to clearly identify the 'Crest' as the highest point the wave reaches.

Front

Trough Noun

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[trof]

Back

Trough

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The lowest point of displacement of a transverse wave from the equilibrium position.

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Example: This diagram of a mechanical wave identifies the trough as the lowest point the wave dips, contrasting it with the crest (the highest point).