Unit 2 – Waves Characteristics of Waves

Fill in the blank spaces using the terms in the red block:

Waves carry energy from one place to another. Waves are caused by vibrations. Waves that go up
and down are called transverse waves. The vibrations travel perpendicular to the direction of the
energy transfer of the wave. Waves that vibrate backwards and forwards are called longitudinal
waves. The vibrations travel in the same direction of the energy transfer of the wave. In a
longitudinal wave, areas where the particles are pushed together are called compressions and areas
where the particles are spread out are called rarefaction. Waves can be measured. The displacement
from the rest position is called the amplitude. The length of a full cycle of waves is called the
frequency. The number of complete waves passing a certain point in a second is called the
wavelength.

Fill in the blank spaces with the correct terms:

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