flashcards WAVES

Term: Waves

Definition: Vibrations that travel from one place to another carrying energy

Term: Medium

Definition: Material through which a wave travels (e.g., air, water, solid)

Types of Waves:

Term: Transverse Wave

Definition: Vibrations that are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel (e.g., light waves, stadium waves, S-waves)

Term: Longitudinal Wave

Definition: Vibrations that are parallel to the direction of wave travel (e.g., P-waves, sound waves)

Term: Surface Wave

Definition: Vibrations that move along the surface of a medium, producing circular motion

Term: Electromagnetic Waves

Definition: Transverse waves that do not require a medium to transfer energy

Parts of a Wave:

Term: Equilibrium Position

Definition: The resting position of the medium before a wave passes through

Term: Crest

Definition: The highest point reached by the wave, indicating upward displacement

Term: Trough

Definition: The lowest point reached by the wave, indicating downward displacement

Term: Amplitude

Definition: The maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position

Term: Wavelength

Definition: The length of one complete cycle of the wave, measured from crest to crest or trough to trough

Term: Frequency

Definition: The number of waves passing a fixed point per unit time, measured in Hertz (Hz)