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Labeling a Wave

Different types of waves have different characteristics. What makes waves different from each other?

  • The amount of energy the wave carries determines how fast the wave travels.

  • The wavelength is dependent on the nature of the medium through which the wave travels.

Image courtesy of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.



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Transverse Waves

Parts of a transverse wave include:

  • The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive waves.

  • The crest is the highest point of the wave.

  • The trough is the lowest part of the wave

  • The frequency is the number of wave crests that pass a certain point each second.

  • The period is the time required for the wave crest at a set point to reach another set point.

  • The amplitude of a wave is the measure of its height or is displacement from a centerline.

labeled transverse wave



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Longitudinal Wave

Parts of a longitudinal wave include:

  • A compression is the denser area of the wave. In a spring or slinky it is the area where the coils are together more.

  • A rarefaction is the less dense area of the wave. In a spring or slinky it is the area where the coils are spread out more.

labeled longitudinal wave



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Review

Read Categories of Waves from the Physics Classroom to learn more about these types of waves.

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