Waves Vocabulary Amplitude Definition The height of a

Waves Vocabulary

Amplitude ¡ Definition: The height of a wave from resting position to crest or to trough.

Crest vs. Trough Crest: Highest point of a wave ¡ Trough: Lowest point of a wave ¡

Wavelength ¡ The distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave

Frequency The number of waves that pass by in a given time ¡ Out of the pictures below, which one has high frequency and which one has low? ¡

Hertz SI unit for measuring frequency ¡ Symbol is Hz ¡

Wave Period ¡ The time that it takes for a complete cycle or wave oscillation to occur

Transverse Wave ¡ A transverse wave is a wave that travels horizontally while the wave particles move vertically (perpendicular to one another)

Longitudinal Wave ¡ Longitudinal waves are waves that have the same direction of vibration along their direction of travel

Compression vs. Rarefaction Compression: crowded areas of the wave or pulse ¡ Rarefaction: Stretched out areas of the wave or pulse ¡

Standing Wave ¡ A standing wave, also known as a stationary wave, is a wave that remains in a constant position.

Node vs. Antinode Node: point of no vibration ¡ Antinode: point of maximum vibration ¡

Constructive Interference ¡ When two waves added together make a larger wave

Destructive Interference ¡ When two waves added together produce a smaller wave

Wave Speed Formula: ¡ speed=frequency x wavelength ¡