Wave Vocabulary

Region of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are closest together.

• medium

• compression

• rarefraction

• crest

The highest point on a transverse wave.

• longitudinal

• compression

• rarefraction

• crest

a transverse wave that can travel through empty space and through matter. Does NOT need a medium.

• Enery

• Mechanical

• Electromagnetic

• Meduim

The region of the longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are farthest apart.

• Compression

• Rarefraction

• Medium

• Transverse

A wave that can only travel through matter.

• Mechanical

• Medium

• Transverse

• Energy

The ability to cause change.

• Energy

• Transverse

• Medium

• Mechanical

A wave in which the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.

• Energy

• Medium

• Longitudinal

• Transverse

A wave in which the disturbance is parallel to the direction the wave travels.

• Energy

• Mechanical

• Medium

• Longitudinal

A material in which a wave travels.

• Energy

• Medium

• Transverse

• Longitudinal

The lowest point on a transverse wave.

• Wave

• Trough

• Amplitude

• Frequency