Transverse Waves 0.5

Amplitude

measure of the size of the disturbance of a wave; height on the y-axis

electromagnetic spectrum

the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including the wavelengths or frequencies of visible and invisible forms of energy, including radio, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma

Frequency

the number of times a wave passes a certain point in a given amount of time

wave

a movement of energy through a medium or space from one place to another

Wavelength

the linear distance between identical points on successive waves

Crest

the highest point of a transverse wave

trough

the lowest point of a transverse wave

electromagnetic wave

a type of wave created by vibrating particles

energy

The ability to do work or cause change

medium

Material through which a wave travels

transverse wave

a wave in which the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels

vibration

is a repeated back-and forth or up-and-down motion

mechanical wave

waves that require medium to travel through.

longitudinal waves

Particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel (e.g., sound waves)

speed of a wave

equal to the frequency times the wavelength and has units of m/s