Wave Vocabulary

3. A wave in which particles move parallel to the direction the wave travels (e.g., sound waves).
6. The distance between two corresponding points on back-to-back waves (like crest to crest).
8. When a wave bounces off a surface and returns in the opposite direction.
9. The time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point.
10. An electromagnetic wave that travels through space and can be seen by the human eye.
11. A change in the observed frequency of a wave when the source or observer is moving.
14. The spreading of a wave as it moves around obstacles or through small openings.
15. The maximum height of a wave from its rest position; relates to energy.
17. A wave that does not need a medium to travel (e.g., light, X-rays, radio waves).
18. A type of mechanical wave caused by vibrations that travel through a medium like air or water.
19. When two or more waves overlap and affect each other.

1. A wave in which particles move perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction the wave travels (e.g., light waves).
2. When overlapping waves add together to make a larger wave.
4. The rule that says when waves meet, their amplitudes add together.
5. When overlapping waves cancel each other out, making a smaller wave or no wave.
7. A wave that requires a medium to travel through (e.g., sound, water waves).
12. The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another and changes speed.
13. The alignment of waves so that the vibrations occur in only one direction (applies to transverse waves like light).
16. How many wave cycles pass a point in one second; measured in hertz (Hz).