Waves Vocabulary

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A type of wave where the medium moves perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

A wave that transfers electrical and magnetic energy, such as light waves.

Front

What is a medium in the context of waves?

Back

The material through which a wave travels.

Front

What is a longitudinal (compression) wave?

Back

A wave that moves the medium in a direction parallel to the direction in which the wave travels.

Front

What is a crest in a wave?

Back

The highest part of a transverse wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

The lowest part of a transverse wave.

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

The maximum distance the particles of a medium move away from their rest positions as a wave passes through.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Front

What is frequency in the context of waves?

Back

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

Front

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Back

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; as one increases, the other decreases.