Waves & Wave Properties

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

Mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

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 propagation.

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 propagation.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What is frequency?

Back

The number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in hertz (Hz).

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

The maximum displacement of points on a wave from their rest position, related to the energy of the wave.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What is the speed of a wave?

Back

The distance a wave travels per unit of time, calculated as speed = wavelength × frequency.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through.

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

A wave that can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium, such as light waves.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

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