Science Waves Vocab

Question 1

Energy

Answer 1

the ability to do work; the ability to move an object a distance

Question 2

Wave

Answer 2

any disturbance that moves energy from one place to another.
Waves do NOT move matter from one place to another.

Question 3

Medium, media

Answer 3

is the substance that carries a wave (or disturbance) from one location to another (i.e. liquids, gasses, solids and plasma).

Question 4

Resting position

Answer 4

the position in which the wave would sit if there was no disturbance. It is represented by a straight line equidistant from the crest and trough of a wave. This is also known as the equilibrium point.

Question 5

Crest

Answer 5

the highest point of a wave from the resting position

Question 6

Trough

Answer 6

the lowest part of a wave from the resting position

Question 7

Transverse waves

Answer 7

occurs when the motion of the wave is perpendicular to the direction of travel. [Related terms: resting position and displacement.]

Question 8

Longitudinal waves

Answer 8

occurs when the motion of the wave is parallel to the direction of travel [Related terms: compressions and rarefactions.]

Question 9

Wavelength

Answer 9

is the measurement between two identical parts of the wave

Question 10

Frequency

Answer 10

measures the number of wavelengths that pass a specific point over a period of time.

Question 11

Amplitude

Answer 11

Amplitude - measures the distance between the resting position and the crest of a wave

Question 12

Period

Answer 12

waves rise and fall in a cyclical pattern; the time it takes for one complete wavelength to pass a specified point.

Question 13

Compression

Answer 13

an area of high pressure in a longitudinal wave.

Question 14

Refraction

Answer 14

an area of low pressure in a longitudinal wave.