Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation Vocab

Front

What term describes how fast a wave is moving?

Back

Phase Velocity is the speed at which a wave phase propagates in space.

Front

What type of wave has movement in the same direction the wave is traveling?

Back

Longitudinal Wave is a type of wave where the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Front

What is the distance between two high points (or low points) on a wave called?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between successive crests (or troughs) of a wave.

Front

What is the height of a wave from its middle (rest) position called?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum extent of a wave measured from the position of equilibrium.

Front

A wave where the movement is at a right angle to the direction the wave is traveling.

Back

Transverse Wave is a wave in which the motion of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Front

What is the term for the number of waves that pass a point in a given period of time?

Back

Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Front

What is the term for the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position?

Back

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

Front

What type of wave requires a medium to travel through?

Back

Mechanical Wave is a wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate.

Front

What is the term for the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave?

Back

Wavelength is the length of one complete wave cycle.

Front

What type of wave can travel through a vacuum?

Back

Electromagnetic Wave is a wave that can travel through the vacuum of space.