Maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave measured from its equilibrium position.

The time it takes for a complete round trip by the object, returning to its initial position.

Mathematical curve that describes a smooth periodic oscillation.

Refers to the repeated back and forth movement of something between two positions or states.

A phenomenon in which an external force or a vibrating system forces another system around it to vibrate with greater amplitude at a specified frequency of operation.

The characteristic of sound which is used for differentiating between the shrill and flat sound.

Place where the wave/object will rest with no net force acting on it.

Net force is toward the equilibrium position and is proportional to the distance from equilibrium.

A disturbance that carries energy through matter (a medium) or space.

The source of all wave motion is a vibration.

Waves transmit matter, not energy.

Waves that can travel through empty space. They do not require a medium.

Waves that must travel through some form of matter to carry their energy. They can be either transverse or longitudinal waves.

Particles vibrate at right angles to the direction the wave travels, can be modeled by using a sine wave. Include EM waves and ocean waves, may or may not require a medium.

Particles vibrate back and forth in the same direction that the wave travels, can be modeled by using a spring. They require a medium.

The distance between successive identical parts of a wave. Represented by lambda, l.

The high point of a wave.

The low point of a wave.

Are longitudinal waves; they travel the fastest. Vibrate parallel to the direction they are traveling in a push-pull motion. Travel at a velocity of 4 to 6 km/s.

Are transverse waves. Vibrate perpendicular to their direction of travel. Travel at a velocity of 3 to 4 km/s.

The interference of two or more waves of equal frequency and phase, resulting in their mutual reinforcement and producing a single amplitude equal to the sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves.

Occurs when the maxima of two waves are 180 degrees out of phase: a positive displacement of one wave is cancelled exactly by a negative displacement of the other wave. The amplitude of the resulting wave is zero.

Apparent difference between the frequency at which sound or light waves leave a source and that at which they reach an observer, caused by relative motion of the observer and the wave source.

Abrupt change in the direction of propagation of a wave that strikes the boundary between different mediums.

The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed.

Decrease in the density of something.

The movement or spreading of waves. Waves move energy outward from a source.