General Properties of Waves

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to wave properties, behavior, and measurement.

Transverse Waves

Waves where the points along its length vibrate at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer.

Peak / Crest

The highest point on a transverse wave above the rest position.

Trough

The lowest point on a transverse wave below the rest position.

Longitudinal Waves

Waves where the points along its length vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Compressions

Points are close together in a longitudinal wave.

Rarefactions

Points are spaced apart in a longitudinal wave.

Wavefronts

Representation of waves viewed from above, lines indicate peaks/troughs (transverse) or compressions/rarefactions (longitudinal).

Amplitude

The distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave; measured in meters (m).

Wavelength

The distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave; measured in meters (m).

Frequency

The number of waves passing a point in a second; measured in Hertz (Hz).

Time Period

The time taken for a single wave to pass a point; measured in seconds (s).

Wave Speed

The distance traveled by a wave each second; measured in meters per second (m/s).

Refraction

Change in direction of a sound wave when it moves from one medium to another.

Reflection

When a wave hits a boundary between two media and does not pass through, but instead stays in the original medium.

Transmission

A wave passes through a substance.

Absorption

Energy is transferred from the wave into the particles of a substance.

Angle of incidence (i)

The angle of the wave approaching the boundary.

Angle of reflection (r)

The angle of the wave leaving the boundary.