1. Waves Vocabulary

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

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

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

5. 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?

6. Hertz
SI unit for measuring frequency
Symbol is Hz

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. Constructive Interference
When two waves added together make a larger wave

14. Destructive Interference
When two waves added together produce a smaller wave

15. Wave Speed
Formula:
speed=frequency x wavelength