Vocab Set #17 Waves

Front

Amplitude

Back

The height of a wave; the distance from the nodal line to the top of the wave (crest) or from the nodal line to the bottom of the wave (trough).

Front

Crest

Back

The highest point of a wave.

Front

Compression

Back

The part of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are closest together; where the wave is bunched up.

Front

Electromagnetic Waves

Back

Transverse waves consisting of changing electric and magnetic fields; does not require a medium to travel and can travel through empty space.

Front

Frequency

Back

The number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time.

Front

Longitudinal Wave

Back

A wave in which matter moves back and forth in the same direction as the wave is moving; also called compressional wave.

Front

Medium

Back

Matter through which a wave travels.

Front

Mechanical Waves

Back

A wave that requires a medium in order to carry energy.

Front

Node (Nodal Line)

Back

The location of the standing waves where the amplitude is always at equilibrium.

Front

Rarefaction

Back

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