Wave – a disturbance that moves itself and energy, but not matter from one place to another. They require a medium to transmit energy through. Particles in the medium do not move with the energy, instead they oscillate about their equilibrium position.
Progressive Waves – waves in which the wavefront and energy continuously moves through the medium
Transverse Waves – particles in the medium oscillate perpendicularly to the direction of propagation e.g. water wave, light
Longitudinal Waves – particles in the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation e.g. sound, seismic waves
Amplitude (m) – the current position of a particle with respect to its equilibrium position
Displacement (m) – the maximum displacement of a particle from equilibrium
Period (s) – time taken for one complete oscillation of a particle in the medium
Frequency (Hz) – the number of complete oscillations in one second