Wave Types - Longitudinal and Transverse

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

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

Front

What are the two main types of mechanical waves?

Back

The two main types of mechanical waves are longitudinal waves and transverse waves.

Front

Define a longitudinal wave.

Back

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels.

Front

Define a transverse wave.

Back

A transverse wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move up and down perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.

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 amplitude?

Back

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

Front

What is compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

How do particles move in a transverse wave?

Back

In a transverse wave, particles move up and down while the wave travels horizontally.

Front

How do particles move in a longitudinal wave?

Back

In a longitudinal wave, particles move back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels.