Waves and Sound

Waves and Sound

1. Key Terms

   • Cycle: A complete back and forth movement at a constant speed
   • Crest: The highest point in a transverse wave
   • Trough: The lowest point in a transverse wave
   • Amplitude: Distance between trough and crest
   • Compression: A section in a longitudinal wave where the medium is compressed together
   • Rarefaction: A section in a longitudinal wave where the medium is pushed apart
   • Transverse: The medium moves 90° to it's direction of motion
   • Longitudinal: The medium moves parallel with the direction of motion
   • Phase: Points of crests and troughs of a wave realtive to another
   • Period: Time taken for one or more cycles to be complete
   • Frequency: The number of cycles that can be completed in a certain amount of time