6.5: End of Chapter Key Terms

Physical Science for Educators Volume 2 · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY-NC-SA, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Definition: Longitudinal and Transverse Waves
    • Wave: A disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space, characterized by its wavelength, frequency, and amplitude.
    • Longitudinal Wave: A wave in which the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation, such as sound waves in air.
    • Compression: The region in a longitudinal wave where particles are closest together.
    • Rarefaction: The region in a longitudinal wave where particles are furthest apart.
    • Transverse Wave: A wave in which the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, such as waves on a string or electromagnetic waves.
    • Crest: The highest point of a wave in a transverse wave.
    • Trough: The lowest point of a wave in a transverse wave.
    • Wavelength: The distance between successive crests, troughs, compressions, or rarefactions in a wave.
    • Frequency: The number of waves that pass a given point per second measured in cycles per second, called Hertz (Hz).
    • Amplitude: The maximum displacement of particles from their rest position, indicating the wave's energy or intensity.
    • Period: The time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a given point, the inverse of frequency.
    • Wave Speed: The speed at which a wave travels through a medium, calculated as the product of wavelength and frequency.
    • Medium: The substance or material through which a wave travels.
    • Mechanical Wave: A wave that requires a medium to travel, such as sound waves or water waves.
    • Displacement: The distance and direction from the equilibrium position to a point on the wave.
    • Propagation: The movement or transmission of waves through a medium or space.
    • Wave Equation: A mathematical formula that describes the propagation of waves through a medium, often expressed as vwave = \( \lambda \)f , where f is frequency, and \( \lambda \) is wavelength.

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