Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves

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 propagation.

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 propagation.

Front

What is the crest of a wave?

Back

The highest point of a transverse wave.

Front

What is the trough of a wave?

Back

The lowest point of a transverse wave.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

The maximum distance that the particles of a medium move from their rest position in a wave.

Front

What are compressions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Regions where particles are close together in a longitudinal wave.

Front

What are rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

Regions where particles are spread apart in a longitudinal wave.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

The number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Front

What is the SI unit for wavelength?

Back

Meter (m).