Wave Unit Vocabulary

Question 1

Wave

Answer 1

is a rhythmic disturbance that carries energy through matter and space.; carries energy from one place to another. Waves are a form of energy.

Question 2

Wavelength

Answer 2

distance of a “repeating unit”, also called a cycle; measures how long a wave is

Question 3

Amplitude

Answer 3

measures DISPLACEMENT (height of a wave) size of the disturbance; distance between “rest & crest” or “rest & trough”

Question 4

Trough

Answer 4

bottom, or lowest point of a wave

Question 5

Crest

Answer 5

“peak” or top of a wave

Question 6

Speed

Answer 6

how fast the wave travels (velocity); measured by multiplying the wavelength by the wave frequency, v = w x f

Question 7

Frequency

Answer 7

How often number of wavelengths that pass any point per second
number of wavelength

Question 8

Medium

Answer 8

matter such as solid, liquid, or gas and is what a wave is carried by; ex/ ocean waves move through water

Question 9

Electromagnetic wave

Answer 9

the energy moves through disturbances in the electromagnetic field. Does not require a medium to travel through; energy is transferred by way of radiation.

Question 10

Mechanical wave

Answer 10

the energy is transferred by vibrations of medium. Three types of mechanical waves: transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves

Question 11

Transverse wave

Answer 11

Vibration is perpendicular to the direction of the motion of the wave, the vibration is at 90 degrees (right angles) to the wave pulse

Question 12

Longitudinal (compression) wave

Answer 12

Vibration is in the same direction (parallel) as wave pulse (parallel to wave pulse)

Question 13

Surface wave

Answer 13

Vibration is circular Ex/ Ocean waves; ground surface waves