Waves Review Flashcard

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A wave that travels parallel to the direction of the energy transfer, characterized by compressions and rarefactions.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A wave that travels perpendicular to the direction of the energy transfer, characterized by crests and troughs.

Front

What do waves carry from place to place?

Back

Energy, but not matter or particles.

Front

What are compressions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

The regions where particles are closer together.

Front

What are rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?

Back

The regions where particles are farther apart.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

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

Front

What is amplitude?

Back

The maximum displacement of points on a wave from its rest position, related to the energy of the wave.

Front

How does amplitude affect wavelength?

Back

The wavelength will not change if the amplitude is increased.

Front

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Back

Higher frequency waves have shorter wavelengths, and lower frequency waves have longer wavelengths.

Front

What is the speed of a wave?

Back

The distance a wave travels per unit of time, calculated as speed = wavelength x frequency.