waves

wave

Disturbance that transmits energy through matter or empty space

medium

a substance through which waves can travel; a solid, liquid, or gas

mechanical waves

waves that require a medium (ex. ocean waves, sound waves)

electromagnetic waves

waves that don’t require a medium (ex. radio waves, x-rays)

transverse waves

waves in which the particles move perpendicular (up and down) to thr direction of the wave (ex. light waves)

longitudinal waves

waves in which the particles move parallel (same direction) to the direction of the wave (ex. sound waves)

amplitude

max distance that particles of a medium vibrate from their rest position

wavelength

distance between any two crests/compressions next to each other in a wave

frequency

number of waves produced in a given amount of time

wave speed

the speed at which a wave travels

periodic wave

a repeating series of pulses

pulse

a single disturbance

energy

transfer of energy through a medium