Bill
Repeating disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another
Wave
The matter that a wave travels through (ex: ocean wave’s medium is water)
Medium
Waves that transfer energy through a medium
Mechanical wave
Particles vibrate perpendicularly to the direction the wave travels.
Transverse wave
Particles vibrate parallel to the direction the wave travels
Longitudinal wave
Volume empty of matter, sometimes called “free-space”
Vacuum
Measure of how far apart a particle in the medium moves away from its normal rest position
Amplitude
The highest point or peak of a transverse wave, representing maximum positive displacement
Crest
Region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together (more dense)
Compression
Region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are the farthest part (less dense)
rarefaction
The lowest point or valley of a transverse wave, representing maximum negative displacement
Trough
Distance from any point on the wave to an identical point on the next wave pulse
Wavelength
Number of waves produced in a set amount of time, usually measured in hertz (Hz). One hertz equals one wave per second
Frequency
The rate at which a wave travels.
Wave speed
𝝀
lamda
Is the symbol used to represent wavelength
Lamda
f
Represents the frequency of a wave
v = 𝛌ᐧf
The formula for wave speed
v
Velocity