Unit 3: Understanding Waves - Wave Properties

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to wave properties and their applications in physics.

Wave

A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Mechanical Waves

Waves that require a medium (solid, liquid, gas) to travel through.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that can travel through empty space as well as through matter.

Frequency (f)

The number of wavelengths that pass through a point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Wavelength (λ)

The distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave.

Amplitude

The maximum distance that a wave moves from its rest position; related to the energy of the wave.

Transverse Wave

A wave in which particles move perpendicular to the direction of the wave travels.

Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction the wave travels.

Rarefaction

The part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart.

Compression

The part of a longitudinal wave where particles are close together.

Disturbance

A change that propagates through a medium, transferring energy.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Amplitude and Energy Relationship

The larger the amplitude, the more energy the wave carries.

Pitch

The perception of how high or low a sound is, related to frequency.

Period (T)

The time taken for one complete wavelength to pass a point, measured in seconds.

Wave Speed (v)

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium, calculated using the formula v = f × λ.

Crest

The highest point of a transverse wave.

Trough

The lowest point of a transverse wave.