Transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of the wave, while longitudinal waves move parallel. Key characteristics of waves include amplitude, which dictates loudness; frequency, which is the number of waves per second dictating pitch; and wavelength, the distance from crest to crest or trough to trough. Light is made of photons and moves as both a transverse wave perpendicular to its direction and as particles that can move through empty space across the electromagnetic spectrum.

1. What are Waves??

2. Transverse WaveA transverse wave moves perpendicular to the direction of the
wave

3. Key words
Amplitude
The height of the wave
(from halfway between
the crest and the trough
“point 0”)
Amplitude dictates the
“volume” or “loudness”
Frequency
How many waves occur
in a second.
The frequency dictates
the “pitch”. A higher
frequency is equal to a
higher pitch.
Wavelength
The distance from a
crest to crest, or trough
to trough; One full
cycle.

4. Longitudinal Wave
A Longitudinal wave travels parallel to the direction of the
wave.

5. What is Light?
Light made of a stream of particles called “photons”.

6. How does light move?
Light moves as a “transverse wave”
(perpendicular to it’s ultimate direction).

7. How does light move?
AND because it is a particle, it can also move through empty space.

8. Electromagnetic Spectrum