Harmonic Motion Vocab

Amplitude

Maximum amount of displacement from equilibrium

Antinode

Halfway between 2 nodes where the maximum displacement occurs

Constructive Interference

Occurs when two waves superimpose to form a wave with a larger amplitude

Crests

The highest points above the equilibrium position

Destructive Interference

Occurs when 2 waves superimpose to form a wave with a smaller amplitude

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a given point in a unit of time

Longitudinal Wave

A wave whose particles vibrate parallel to the direction the wave is traveling

Medium

The physical environment through which a wave can travel

Node

A point in a standing wave that has 0 displacement

Period

The time required for one complete wavelength to pass a given point

Pulse Wave

A single sudden disturbance traveling through a medium

Restoring Force

The force that pulls a wave or vibrating object back to its equilibrium position

Standing Wave

A wave pattern that results when 2 waves of the same frequency, wavelength and amplitude travel in opposite directions and interfere

Superposition

Combination of 2 overlapping waves

Transverse Wave

A wave whose particles vibrate perpendicularly to the direction the wave is traveling

Trough

The lowest points below the equilibrium position

Wave

The motion of a disturbance that moves through matter or space

Wavelength

The distance the wave travels along its path during one cycle