Wave Terminology

Front

transverse

Back

waves that move up and down

Front

longitudinal

Back

waves that move side to side

Front

crest

Back

top of a transverse wave

Front

trough

Back

bottom of a transverse wave

Front

wavelength

Back

distance from crest to crest or the distance between two compressions

Front

amplitude

Back

from rest to crest

Front

resting position

Back

no energy, no wave

Front

compression

Back

area of a longitudinal wave that is pressed close together

Front

rarefaction

Back

area of a longitudinal wave that is spread out between compressions

Front

frequency

Back

number of waves that pass a point in one second