Wave Properties and Types Quiz

Vocabulary

• Mechanical Wave: Wave that needs a medium to travel.
• Transverse Wave: Wave where the particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
• Longitudinal (Compression) Wave: Wave where particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.
• Electromagnetic Wave: Wave that does not need a medium to travel.
• Medium: Material through which a wave travels.
• Wave Speed: How fast a wave travels.
• Wavelength: Distance between two corresponding points on a wave.
• Frequency: Number of waves that pass a given point per unit of time.
• Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a particle from its undisturbed position.
• Period: Time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a given point.
• Compression: Region of a longitudinal wave where particles are close together.
• Rarefaction: Region of a longitudinal wave where particles are spread apart.

Concepts

• Wave Transfer: Waves transfer energy, not matter.
• Wave Motion: A wave moves energy from one place to another, not the actual substance.
• Wave Speed Formula: Speed = wavelength × frequency
• Sound Wave Medium: Sound waves travel best through solids.
• Direct Relationship: As one variable increases, the other variable increases.
• Inverse Relationship: As one variable increases the other decreases.
• Transverse Wave Characteristics: Identify the parts of a transverse wave (crest, trough, wavelength, amplitude) shown in the graphic.
• Longitudinal (Compression) Wave Characteristics: Identify the parts of a longitudinal wave (compression, rarefaction, wavelength) on the graphic.
• Wave Energy and Amplitude: Higher amplitudes correspond to higher wave energy.

Measurements of a Wave

• Wavelength Count: The graphic shows the number of wavelengths.
• Amplitude Measurement: The amplitude of the wave in the graphic.
• Frequency Calculation: How many waves per second shown in the graphic.
• Wavelength and Decrease: shorter wavelengths correspond to higher wave energy.
• Amplitude Measurement: Amplitude is the measurement of the maximum displacement from the rest position.
• High/Low Energy Waves: The amplitude of the wave directly indicates the amount of energy of the wave