| Name | Definition | Note |
| Mechanical wave | Wave require medium to travel through | |
| Electromagnetic wave |
Require no medium to travel through | |
| Longitudinal Waves |
Has oscillations that are parallel to the direction of movement of the wave energy (Vibrations of the particles parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave) |
|
| Compression | Area in which particle oscillation put them closer than their equilibrium state | |
| Rarefaction | Area in which the particle oscillation put them further apart than their eq state |
|
| Transverse wave | The oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wave energy |
|
| Displacement | Distance and direction from the equilibrium position | |
| Amplitude | The magnitude of maximum displacement from the equilibrium position |
|
| Frequency | The number of complete oscillations per unit time |
|
| Period | The time taken for one complete oscillation | |
| Speed |
