Waves Unit Vocab

Question 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.

Answer 1

Wave

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Wavelength

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Amplitude

Question 4

bottom, or lowest point of a wave

Answer 4

Trough

Question 5

“peak” or top of a wave

Answer 5

Crest

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Speed

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Frequency

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Medium

Question 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.

Answer 9

Electromagnetic wave

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Mechanical wave

Question 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

Answer 11

Transverse wave

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Longitudinal (compression) wave

Question 13

Vibration is circular Ex/ Ocean waves; ground surface waves

Answer 13

Surface wave