Waves Unit Vocab

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 the number of wavelengths that pass any point per second
number of wavelengths.

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

Transverse Wave

Answer 10

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 11

Longitudinal ( Compression ) Wave

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Surface Wave

Answer 12

Vibration is circular Ex/ Ocean waves; ground surface waves.

Question 13

Mechanical Wave

Answer 13

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