Waves Glossary

the maximum displacement or distance from the equilibrium position of a particle or medium as the wave passes through it

the rate at which an object or system rotates or oscillates in radians per unit of time. It's like the elegant pirouette of a dancer, marking the rotational pace with its graceful spin.

The peak, or highest point, of a transverse wave

the change in position of an object or particle from its initial point to its final point

the entire range of EM waves in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength.

the stable resting point of an object or system when there are no external forces acting upon it

the number of complete cycles or oscillations it completes in a given time period

released by nuclear reactions in nuclear power plants, by nuclear bombs, and by naturally occuring elements on Earth.

Used for finding people in the dark and in TV remote control devices.

the particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction of wave propagation. It's like a wave doing the "forward march," moving in sync with its path as it travels through space.