T4 Definitions

Question 1

displacement

Answer 1

distance in a particular direction from its mean position

Question 2

wavelength

Answer 2

shortest distance between two points that are in phase on a wave

Question 3

amplitude

Answer 3

magnitude of the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position

Question 4

compressions

Answer 4

a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together

Question 5

rarefactions

Answer 5

a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are farthest apart

Question 6

transverse wave

Answer 6

motion of particles is perpendicular to direction of wave travel

Question 7

longitudinal wave

Answer 7

motion of particles is parallel to direction of wave travel

Question 8

travelling waves

Answer 8

the medium moves in the direction of propagation

Question 9

standing wave

Answer 9

a vibrational pattern created within a medium when the vibrational frequency of the source causes reflected waves from one end of the medium to interfere with incident waves from the source, causing specific points along the medium appear to be standing still.