Transverse vs. Longitudinal Waves

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 travel.

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 travel.

Front

Define amplitude in the context of waves.

Back

The maximum distance that the particles of a wave move from their rest position; it is also known as wave height.

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

What is a crest in a transverse wave?

Back

The highest point of a transverse wave.

Front

What is a trough in a transverse wave?

Back

The lowest point of a transverse wave.

Front

What is compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

What is a node in a wave?

Back

A point along a standing wave where the wave has minimum amplitude; it does not move.