Science

Transverse Waves

Particles move perpendicular (at a right angle) to the direction the wave travels.

Crest/Peak

The highest point of a transverse wave.

Trough

The lowest point of a transverse wave

Examples of Transverse Wave

Light waves, water waves, strings on a guitar.

Example of Longitudinal wave

Sound Wave

Longitudinal Waves

Particles move parallel (back and forth in the same direction) to the wave's travel.

Compression

The region where the particles are crowded close together.

Rarefaction

The region where the particles are spread far apart.

Wavelength

The distance between two identical parts of consecutive waves (crest-to-crest or compression-to-compression).

Frequency

The number of wave cycles that pass a point in one second.

Frequency vs. Wavelength

They have an inverse relationship. As frequency increases, wavelength decreases.

Amplitude vs. Energy

Amplitude is the distance from the wave's original position to its crest. A larger amplitude means the wave carries more energy.

Frequency vs. Pitch

In sound, a higher frequency produces a higher pitch, while a lower frequency produces a lower pitch.

Reflection

A wave bouncing off a boundary or surface (like an echo or a mirror image).

Refraction

A wave bending as it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes.

Absorption

The wave's energy is taken in by the material it hits, often turning into heat.

Transmission

The wave passes completely through a material (like light passing through a glass window).

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

These are waves that do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum. In order from longest wavelength (lowest energy) to shortest wavelength (highest energy), they are: Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-rays, and Gamma rays.

Visible Light Spectrum

The colors of light in order of increasing frequency are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet (ROYGBIV). Different colors exist because they have different wavelengths and frequencies.

Sound Waves

Sound requires matter to travel. It travels fastest in dense materials (Solids > Liquids > Gases) because closely packed particles pass vibrations faster.

Light Waves

Light travels fastest in a vacuum (empty space) and slows down when it hits dense materials like water or glass.

Calculating Speed

Speed = Distance / Time (s=d/t). You can rearrange this to find distance (d=s×t) or time (t=d/s).

Average

The sum of all your data values divided by the total number of values.

Uncertainty

The margin of error or range of variation in your measurements.

True Value Range

Calculated as Average ± Uncertainty. This gives the range where the actual accurate measurement likely falls.

Independent Variable

The factor you deliberately change or test. This always goes on the X-axis (horizontal).

Dependent Variable

The factor you measure or observe. This always goes on the Y-axis (vertical).

Constants

The factors you keep exactly the same across all trials to ensure a fair test.