12/7/17 Waves Flashcards
Transfers energy through a medium. They are reflected from surfaces and diffracted round objects
Wave
Highest point in a wave.
Crest
The lowest point of a wave.
Trough
The distance from crest to crest or trough to trough.
Wave Length
the number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time; the number of times something happens in a period of time; the number of waves produced each second; the unit is hertz
Frequency
a length of time (related word: periodic)
Period
the distance between one peak and the next on a wave
Wavelengh
a wave that occurs when the particles of a medium move parallel to the direction of the wave
Longitudinal wave
height or “strength” of a wave; the height of the wave from the mid-point to the crest
Amplitude
An substance, as air, through a force acts or a effect is produced
Medium
a metal object that acts as a magnet when an electric current moves through it
Electromagnetic
a range of electromagnetic frequencies; e.g. the light spectrum is the range of frequencies of visible light (related term: electromagnetic spectrum)
Spectrum
a wave that occurs when the particles of a medium are displaced perpendicularly to the direction of the wave
Transverse wave
occurs when rocks are squeezed by external forces directed toward one another to put stress on the rock
Compression
to strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction
Reflection
The bending of light as it moves through or around an object; the change of a wave when it passes into or out of a different medium
Refraction
A reduction in density in a longitudinal wave
Rarefraction
to bend light as it passes through a material
Refraction
Vibrates at right angles and vibrates from side to side
Transverse wave
Push and pull motion creates compression and expansion. A wave that vibrates in the same direction as the wave travels
Compression
Greek stumble meaning wave length
Lambda
Speed (mps) = frequency (hertz) x wavelength (meters)
V = f x Lambda
the change in direction of a wave when it passes close to the edge of an opaque body
Diffraction
Waves can also be absorbed when they pass into a different..?
Medium
