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 compression in a wave?

Back

A compression is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together.

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that the particles of a wave move from their rest position.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest or trough to trough.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Front

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Back

Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases.

Front

What type of wave is a sound wave?

Back

Sound waves are longitudinal waves.

Front

What is a crest in a wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a transverse wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

A trough is the lowest point of a transverse wave.