Chapter 17.1: Mechanical Waves

A disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another is called a(n) ______________________

• mechanical wave

• light wave

• electromagnetic wave

Is the following sentence true or false? Mechanical waves can travel through empty space.

• false

• true

The material through which a wave travels is called a(n) ______________________

• medium

• space

• vacuum

Is the following sentence true or false? Solids, liquids, and gases all can act as mediums for waves.

• true

• false

Is the following sentence true or false? The three main types of mechanical waves are water waves, longitudinal waves, and surface waves

• false

• true

Choose the characteristic(s) used to classify a mechanical wave.

• the height of its crest

• the depth of its trough

• the way it travels through a medium

• the type of medium through which is travels

The highest point of a wave above the rest position is the ___________

• crest

• trough

The lowest point below the rest position is the ______________

• trough

• crest

A wave in which the vibration of the medium is parallel to, or in the same direction as, the direction in which the wave travels is called a(n) ___________________

• longitudinal wave

• transverse wave

• surface wave

When a longitudinal wave carries energy through a spring, the area where the coils of a spring are closer together than they would be in the rest position is called a(n) _________________

• compression

• composition

• pressure point

• point of comprehension