Properties of Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

Transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave's travel.

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

The maximum distance that the particles of a wave's medium move from their rest position.

Front

What is a crest in a wave?

Back

The highest point of a wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

The lowest point of a wave.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

The number of waves that pass a given point in a certain amount of time, usually measured in Hertz (Hz).

Front

What is a rarefaction?

Back

A region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart.