Types of Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through space or matter, typically characterized by oscillations or vibrations.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-5

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

Transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

Define transverse wave.

Back

A wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling.

Front

Define longitudinal wave.

Back

A wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction the wave is traveling.

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

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

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.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

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 compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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

Front

What is rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

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