4.1.4 Glossary Flashcards
Alternating current
Current which continually changes direction
Amplitude
The height of a wave from the midpoint
Compression
Areas when particles are closer together
Crest
The highest point of a wave, also called a peak
Electromagnetic
A wave which is generated by changes in electric and magnetic fields
Frequency
The number of waves per second
Gamma rays
A very high frequency EM wave
Hertz
The unit of measurement for frequency
Infrared
A relatively low frequency EM wave which is felt as heat
Longitudinal
A wave with oscillations parallel to the direction of travel
Medium
Something a wave can travel through, e.g. solid, liquid or gas
Microwave
A low frequency EM wave
Oscillation
The vibrations of a wave
Peak
The highest point of a wave, also called a crest
Period
The time for one complete wave to pass
Radio wave
A very low frequency EM wave
Rarefaction
Areas when particles are further apart
Ray diagram
Shows the direction of light rays during reflection or refraction
Reflection
When a wave bounces off a surface, e.g. a mirror
Refraction
When a wave changes direction as it enters a different medium
Ripple tank
A shallow tank of water used to create small waves (ripples)
Speed
A measure of the distance travelled in a given period of time
Transverse
A wave with oscillations perpendicular to the direction of travel
Trough
The lowest point of a wave
Ultraviolet
A relatively high frequency EM wave
Visible
Able to be seen with the naked eye
Velocity
A measure of speed in a certain direction
Wave front
An imaginary line to show the how a wave changes direction
Wavelength
The length of one complete wave
Wave
Something which transfers energy from one place to another
X-ray
A high frequency EM wave
