Wave Properties

Front

What are the high and low points of a transverse wave called?

Back

Crests are the high points and troughs are the low points of a transverse wave.

Front

What is a compression in a longitudinal wave?

Back

A compression is the more dense region of a longitudinal wave where the medium becomes crowded together.

Front

What is a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

Back

A rarefaction is the less-dense region of a longitudinal wave where the medium is spread apart.

Front

How is wavelength defined in transverse and longitudinal waves?

Back

In transverse waves, wavelength is the distance from crest to crest or trough to trough. In longitudinal waves, it's the distance from the middle of one compression to the middle of the next compression or rarefaction.

Front

What is the frequency of a wave?

Back

The frequency of a wave is the number of wavelengths that pass a fixed point each second, expressed in hertz (Hz).

Front

How are frequency and wavelength related?

Back

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

Front

What affects the speed of a wave?

Back

The speed of a wave depends on the medium through which it is traveling. Sound waves travel faster in liquids and solids, while light waves travel faster in gases or a vacuum.

Front

How is wave speed calculated?

Back

Wave speed (v) is calculated using the equation v = fλ, where f is the frequency and λ (lambda) is the wavelength.

Front

What is amplitude in waves?

Back

Amplitude is a measure of the size of the disturbance from a wave. Greater amplitude means a greater disturbance.

Front

How is amplitude measured in longitudinal waves?

Back

In longitudinal waves, amplitude is related to how tightly the medium is pushed together at compressions and how much it is pulled apart at rarefactions.