Label the Waves
Transverse wave - a wave that moves perpendicular to the direction it travels
A transverse wave has 4 main parts:
Crest - the top of a wave
Trough - the bottom of a wave
Amplitude - the distance from the midpoint to the crest OR the distance from the midpoint to the trough
Wavelength - The distance of one full wave. This can be measured from crest to crest, trough to trough or any similar points.
Crest - the top of a wave
Trough - the bottom of a wave
Amplitude - the distance from the midpoint to the crest OR the distance from the midpoint to the trough
Wavelength - The distance of one full wave. This can be measured from crest to crest, trough to trough or any similar points.
Compression wave - a wave that moves parallel to the direction it travels
( A compression wave is also called a longitudinal wave)
A compression wave has the same 4 parts as the transverse wave but some have different names:
Compression - where the wave collides or presses together
Rarefaction - where the wave stretches apart
Wavelength - the distance from the middle of one compression to the middle of the next compression or from rarefaction to rarefaction
Compression - where the wave collides or presses together
Rarefaction - where the wave stretches apart
Wavelength - the distance from the middle of one compression to the middle of the next compression or from rarefaction to rarefaction