4. Summary and Vocabulary

Summary

  • Wavelength is one way of measuring the size of waves. It is the distance between two corresponding points on adjacent waves, usually measured in meters.
  • The wavelength of a transverse wave can be measured as the distance between two adjacent crests. The wavelength of a longitudinal wave can be measured as the distance between two adjacent compressions.
  • Short-wavelength waves have more energy than long-wavelength waves of the same amplitude.
  • Wave frequency is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time.
  • The SI unit for wave frequency is the hertz (Hz), where 1 hertz equals 1 wave passing a fixed point in 1 second.
  • A higher-frequency wave has more energy than a lower-frequency wave with the same amplitude.

Vocabulary

  • wavelength: Distance between two corresponding points of adjacent waves, such as the distance between two adjacent crests of a transverse wave.

  • hertz (Hz): SI unit of wave frequency, where 1 hertz equals 1 wave passing a fixed point per second.
  • wave frequency: Number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time.
  • amplitude is the maximum distance the particles of the medium move from their resting positions when a wave passes through.

CK-12 Foundation, Physical Science. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/