What are Waves, Troughs, and Crests?

Thread starter ScienceNerd36
Start date Dec 9, 2008
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Waves

In summary, troughs and crests are terms used to describe the highest and lowest points on a wave, respectively. They are formed as a wave causes particles in a medium to vibrate and are directly related to the wavelength and energy of the wave. Troughs and crests can also change in size and shape as a wave travels through different mediums.

Dec 9, 2008

ScienceNerd36

Could someone please explain to me, what waves are , and particularly, what troughs and crests are.
Thank You

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Dec 9, 2008

jtbell

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http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/CLASS/waves/u10l2a.html

(which I found by doing a Google search for "wave crest trough"

)

Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2017

Dec 13, 2008

ScienceNerd36

Thanks

What are "troughs" and "crests" in relation to waves?

In a wave, the highest point is known as the "crest" and the lowest point is known as the "trough". These terms are used to describe the shape of a wave and its amplitude.

How are troughs and crests formed in a wave?

As a wave travels through a medium, it causes particles in the medium to vibrate in a certain pattern. The crest is formed when the particles are at their highest point of displacement, while the trough is formed when the particles are at their lowest point of displacement.

What is the relationship between the wavelength and the distance between troughs and crests?

The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive troughs or crests. This means that the longer the wavelength, the greater the distance between troughs and crests, and vice versa.

How do troughs and crests affect wave energy?

The height of a wave, which is determined by the amplitude of the troughs and crests, is directly related to the amount of energy that the wave carries. Higher amplitude waves have more energy, while lower amplitude waves have less energy.

Can troughs and crests change in size or shape?

Yes, troughs and crests can change in size and shape as the wave travels through different mediums. For example, when a wave reaches shallow water, the height of the wave increases and the wavelength decreases, causing the troughs and crests to become more pronounced.