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Studied by 72 peopleNoteStudied by 10 peopleNoteStudied by 69 peopleNoteStudied by 61 peopleNoteStudied by 113 peopleNoteStudied by 478 peoplewaves
Crest: The highest point of a wave.
Trough: The lowest point of a wave.
Wave Pulse: A single, short disturbance that moves through a medium.
Wavelength: The distance between two crests or two troughs.
Frequency: How many waves pass a point in one second. Measured in Hertz (Hz).
Period: The time it takes for one full wave to pass a point.
Amplitude: The height of the wave from its resting position (how "tall" the wave is).
Standing wave: a wave that appears not to move
Wave Type | Particle Motion | Direction of Wave Propagation | Real-World Examples |
Transverse Waves | Particles move perpendicular to the wave direction (up and down). | The wave moves left to right, while particles oscillate up/down. | Light waves, electromagnetic waves, ocean waves, waves on a string. |
Longitudinal Waves | Particles move parallel to the wave direction (back and forth). | The wave moves left to right, while particles oscillate in the same direction as the wave. | Sound waves, seismic P-waves, compressions and rarefactions in springs. |
Surface Waves | Combination of both perpendicular and parallel motion. | Wave moves along the surface of a medium, often circular in motion. | Ocean waves (at the surface of water), seismic surface waves (Rayleigh and Love waves). |
NoteStudied by 72 peopleNoteStudied by 10 peopleNoteStudied by 69 peopleNoteStudied by 61 peopleNoteStudied by 113 peopleNoteStudied by 478 people