Summary Notes - Mechanical Waves

Vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamentals of waves, mechanical versus electromagnetic waves, wave mediums, wave types, and parts of transverse and longitudinal waves.

Wave

A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another.

Medium

A material that a wave can travel through.

Mechanical Waves

Waves that transfer energy through matter, require a medium, and include examples such as water, sound, and seismic waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that transfer energy through a field and do not require a medium, with examples including light, radio, ultraviolet, and X-ray.

Transverse Wave

A type of mechanical wave in which the vibration of particles is perpendicular to the direction of energy.

Longitudinal Wave

A type of mechanical wave in which the vibration of particles is parallel to the direction of energy.

Crest

The top part of a transverse wave.

Trough

The bottom part of a transverse wave.

Compression

The region of a longitudinal wave where particles are tightly packed.

Rarefaction

The region of a longitudinal wave where particles are far apart.