Chapter 2- Vocabulary Waves Flashcards
Frequency
A rate at which something occurs
Period
A length/portion of time
Wavelength
the distance between successive crests of a wave
Crest
The highest point of a wave
Trough
The lowest point of a wave
Medium
Something for waves to travel through
Amplitude
It is the distance from the waves rest position to its high point or low point
Longitudinal wave
The motion of the individual particles of the medium
Electromagnetic spectrum
The full ranges of frequencies
Transverse wave
A wave that occurs when the particles of a medium are displaces perpendicularly to the direction of the wave
Compression
When things are squeezed by an external force
Reflection
To strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction
Refraction
To move light as it passes through a material
Rare fraction
The lessening of density of a longitudinal wave
Diffraction
The way light passes through or around an object
