Wave Match Cards
Wave Match Cards
Vocabulary Part 1: Terms
Crest
Trough
Amplitude
Wavelength
Frequency
Medium
Mechanical Wave
Electromagnetic Wave
Reflection
Refraction
Diffraction
Interference
Cut along the lines to create your term cards.
Wave Match Cards
Vocabulary Part 2: Definitions
The highest point of a transverse wave or the peak of a wave pulse.
The lowest point of a transverse wave, opposite of the peak.
The maximum distance a wave vibrates or moves from its rest position.
The distance between two adjacent, identical parts of a wave (like crest-to-crest).
The number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time (often measured in Hertz).
The substance or material (solid, liquid, or gas) through which a wave travels.
A wave that requires a medium to travel through and cannot travel through a vacuum.
A wave that consists of vibrating electric and magnetic fields and can travel through empty space.
When a wave hits a surface or boundary and bounces back.
The bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another.
The bending of waves around barriers or through openings.
The combination of two or more waves that results in a single wave.
Cut along the lines to create your definition cards.
Wave Vocab Tracker Worksheet
Wave Tracker
Independent Vocabulary & Anatomy Practice
Student:
Date:
1
Wave Anatomy
Use your cards to identify: Crest, Trough, Amplitude, and Wavelength.
2
Match Log
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Physics: Wave Mechanics
Resource Tracker ID: WV-001
Wave Match Teacher Guide
Teacher Guide & Key
Lesson: Frequency Vibes | Activity: Wave Match
Activity Setup
- Print Wave Match Cards on cardstock if possible for durability.
- Cut cards before class or have students cut them as part of the warm-up.
- Students can work individually or in pairs to match 12 terms to 12 definitions.
Teaching Tips
"Remind students that frequency and wavelength have an inverse relationship. As wavelength increases, frequency decreases!"
Anatomy Key
Crest
Wavelength
Amplitude
Trough
Vocabulary Key
Crest Highest point of a wave
Trough Lowest point of a wave
Amplitude Max distance from rest
Wavelength Distance crest-to-crest
Frequency Waves per second (Hz)
Medium Material wave travels through
Mechanical Wave Requires a medium (e.g. sound)
Electromagnetic Travels through a vacuum
Reflection Wave bounces back
Refraction Bending due to medium change
Diffraction Bending around barriers
Interference Waves combining together
Teacher Resource: Not for student distribution.
