Wave Vocabulary

Amplitude

• the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of equilibrium

Crest

• the point on a wave with the maximum value or upward displacement within a cycle.

Trough

• the opposite of a crest, so the minimum or lowest point in a cycle

Height

• the distance above a level or surface

Frequency

• the number of crests of a wave that move past a given point in a given unit of time

Wavelength

• can be measured between any two points with the same phase, such as between crests, or troughs, or corresponding zero

Tension

• the pulling force exerted by each end of a string, cable, chain, or similar one-dimensional continuous object, or by each end of a rod, truss member, or similar three dimensional object

Wave Velocity

• distance traversed by a periodic, or cyclic, motion per unit time (in any direction)

Wave Pulse

• defined as a sudden and short duration disturbance