What is a wave?
A wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium from one location to another location caused by a vibrating source.
What is the equilibrium position of a medium?
The equilibrium position of a wave is the level of the medium when no wave is passing through the medium.
What is a wave peak?
The wave peak is the tallest point on a wave that has the maximum amplitude. The peak is also called the crest of a wave.
What is a wave trough?
The wave trough is the lowest point on a wave that has the maximum amplitude.
What is the wavelength of a wave?
The wavelength is the distance between successive peaks of a wave.
What is the frequency of a wave?
The frequency of a wave is the number of wave peaks that pass a fixed point in space in a given unit of time.
What is the period of a wave?
The period is the length of time for one wavelength of a wave to pass a given point in space.
What is the speed of a wave?
The wave speed is the distance one wave travels in a specific unit of time.
What is a medium?
The medium is the matter that a wave travels through.
How are transverse and longitudinal waves different?
In transverse waves, the medium is disturbed vertically in space to transfer the wave energy, while a longitudinal wave disturbs the medium horizontally to transfer the wave energy.
Here are some definitions to help you in your Grade 3-5 Lesson 1 investigation.
Wave – a disturbance that moves through a medium from one place to another place.
Medium – the matter or substance that a wave moves through, such as water or air.
Disturbance – something that causes a wave, such as dropping a rock in water or wind blowing across the top of the water.
Equilibrium Position – the normal level of the water when no wave is passing through the water.
Wave Peak – the highest or tallest point on a wave. The wave peak is also called the wave crest.
Wave Trough – the lowest point on a wave.
Wavelength – the distance from one peak to the adjoining peak.
Frequency – the number of waves (or cycles) that pass a given point in space per unit time.
Water waves provide an excellent vehicle for studying the properties of waves. In this investigation, you’ll experiment with water waves to determine the frequency, amplitude, and other properties of waves. Get ready to dive into this investigation of waves.
