Wave Key Terms

• What is the amplitude of a wave?

  The maximum displacement of a wave
• How is the amplitude of a wave defined?

  As the maximum displacement from its original position
• What is the wavelength of a wave?

  The distance from one wave to the next
• How is the wavelength of a wave defined?

  As the distance from one point on a wave to the equivalent point on the next wave
• What is the frequency of a wave?

  The number of waves passing a point each second
• How is the frequency of a wave defined?

  As the number of waves passing a point each second
• What is the wave speed?

  The speed at which energy is transferred through the medium
• How is wave speed defined?

  As the speed at which energy is transferred through the medium
• What does the wave speed depend on?

  The medium through which the wave travels
• What are the key terms related to wave properties?

  • Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a wave
  • Wavelength: Distance between equivalent points on waves
  • Frequency: Number of waves passing a point per second
  • Wave speed: Speed of energy transfer through the medium