Parts of a Wave

You can tell a lot about a wave by looking at its parts.

The amplitude of a wave is the amount of energy carried by a wave. In a transverse wave, the amplitude is the height of the wave. In a longitudinal wave, the amplitude is the amount of compression in a wave.

Wavelength is the distance between one point on a wave and the nearest point just like it. In a transverse wave, the wavelength is the distance from crest to crest or trough to trough. In a longitudinal wave, wavelength is the distance from compression to compression or rarefaction to rarefaction.

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second. The higher the frequency of a wave, the lower the wavelength.

• I don't get it.

• GOT IT!

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"A" is the _______________ of a transverse wave.

• crest

• trough

• compression

• rarefaction

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"B" is the _______________ of a transverse wave.

• crest

• trough

• compression

• rarefaction

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"A" is the _______________ of a transverse wave.

• crest

• trough

• compression

• rarefaction

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The height of a transverse wave is also known as the _______________.

• amplitude

• frequency

• wavelength

• period

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In a transverse wave, the distance from crest to crest or trough to trough is also known as the _______________.

• amplitude

• frequency

• wavelength

• period

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Which wave has a higher frequency.

• A

• B

Which wave has a higher wavelength.

• A

• B

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The _______________ the frequency of the wave, the _______________ the wavelength.

• higher, higher

• higher, lower

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

"A" is where particles are pushed together in a longitudinal wave, this is also known as the _______________ of the wave.

• crest

• trough

• compression

• rarefaction

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