Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave's propagation.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's propagation.

Front

What are compressions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Regions where particles are close together, resulting in higher pressure.

Front

What are rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Regions where particles are spread apart, resulting in lower pressure.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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 frequency?

Back

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

Front

How are wavelength and frequency related?

Back

As the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

The maximum displacement of points on a wave from their rest position, related to the energy of the wave.

Front

What is the speed of a wave?

Back

The distance a wave travels per unit of time, calculated as speed = wavelength × frequency.

Front

What is the principle of superposition?

Back

When two or more waves overlap, the resulting wave displacement is the sum of the individual displacements.