Wave Basics
What do waves transfer from one place to another?
Energy
What is the highest point of a transverse wave called?
Crest
What is one complete repeating pattern of a wave called?
Cycle
What unit is used to measure frequency?
Hertz (Hz)
What part of a wave is measured from the middle line to the crest?
Amplitude
What do we call a material that a mechanical wave travels through?
Medium
What is the lowest point of a transverse wave called?
Trough
How many complete wavelengths are there from one crest to the next crest?
What does the frequency of a wave tell us?
Number of cycles per second
Which generally carries more energy: a wave with a larger amplitude or a smaller amplitude?
Larger Amplitude
What type of wave requires a medium to travel?
Mechanical Wave
What is the distance from the rest position to a crest called?
Amplitude
If you see 5 consecutive crests, how many complete cycles are between the first and last crest?
4
A wave completes 6 cycles in 2 seconds. What is its frequency?
3 Hz
Wave A has an amplitude of 2 cm. Wave B has an amplitude of 5 cm. Which carries more energy if they are otherwise the same type of wave?
Wave B
What is a repeating vibration or movement that travels and transfers energy called?
a Wave
What is the distance between two consecutive crests called?
Wavelength
If a wave has 4 consecutive troughs, how many complete cycles are between the first and last trough?
3
A wave completes 12 cycles in 3 seconds. What is its frequency?
4 Hz
If the amplitude of a wave decreases, what happens to the energy it carries?
It decreases
Do waves usually transfer matter from one place to another overall, or transfer energy or Both?
Energy
What do we call the middle line where the material would rest if there were no wave?
Rest Position
A wave diagram shows 2 full cycles and half of another cycle. How many total cycles are shown?
2.5 cycles
A wave completes 18 cycles in 4 seconds. What is its frequency?
4.5 Hz
Two waves travel through the same medium and have the same frequency. Wave B has a greater amplitude. Which wave carries more energy, and why?
Wave B, has a greater amplitude