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.

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Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

The two main types of waves are mechanical waves (which require a medium, like sound waves) and electromagnetic waves (which do not require a medium, like light waves).

Front

What is frequency in relation to waves?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

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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.

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Front

What is amplitude?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from its rest position, indicating the energy of the wave.

Front

How does frequency relate to wavelength?

Back

As frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa, because the speed of the wave remains constant.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Front

What happens to sound energy as it moves away from the source?

Back

The energy per unit area of the sound wave decreases as it moves farther from the source, causing the sound to become quieter.

Front

What is the speed of a wave?

Back

The speed of a wave is the distance traveled by a wave in a given amount of time, calculated as speed = wavelength × frequency.

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Front

What is a wavefront?

Back

A wavefront is an imaginary line that connects all points of a wave that are in the same phase of motion.

Front

What is the relationship between energy and amplitude?

Back

The energy of a wave is directly proportional to the square of its amplitude; higher amplitude means more energy.