Parts and 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 main parts of a wave?

Back

The main parts of a wave are the crest (the highest point), trough (the lowest point), amplitude (the height of the wave), and wavelength (the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs).

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that points on a wave, such as the crest or trough, move from their rest position.

Front

How is wavelength defined?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

Front

What does frequency refer to in waves?

Back

Frequency is 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 the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.

Front

What is a crest in a wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a wave.

Front

What is a trough in a wave?

Back

A trough is the lowest point of a wave.

Front

What is the origin in a wave?

Back

The origin is the rest position of the wave, where the wave would be if there were no disturbance.

Front

How do you calculate the amplitude of a wave?

Back

Amplitude is calculated as the distance from the origin to the crest or trough.