Waves Vocab List

Question 1

Wavelength

Answer 1

the distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave.

Question 2

Frequency

Answer 2

the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.

Question 3

crests

Answer 3

Waves have moving crests (or peaks) and troughs. A crest is the highest point the medium rises to and a trough is the lowest point the medium sinks to.

Question 4

trough

Answer 4

a trough is the lowest point the medium sinks to

Question 5

amplitude

Answer 5

the maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave measured from its equilibrium position.

Question 6

reference line

Answer 6

an arbitrary fixed line (as an x-axis or a polar axis) from which coordinates of a point are computed.

Question 7

Medium

Answer 7

A substance that makes possible the transfer of energy from one location to another, especially through waves.