On The Science Test Flashcards
Diffraction
Waves spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or around the edge of material.
Refraction
The bending of waves as they pass through a material
Reflection
When waves strike a surface and bounce back in another direction.
A wave
The transfer of energy without transferring matter
Crest
The highest point or peak of a wave
Trough
The lowest point or peak of a wave.
Amplitude
The distance from the resting point to the crest of the wave.
Frequency
The number of waves that pass a given point in a set period of time.
Wave length
The distance from crest to crest or trough to trough on a wave.
Period
Time for a complete cycle to pass a given point.
Medium
Matter through which a mechanical wave travels
Transverse wave
Energy causes the matter in the medium to move up and down or back and forth at right angles to the direction the wave travels.
Electromagnetic wave
Waves that do not need matter to transfer energy.
Longitudinal wave
A mechanical wave in which matter in the medium moves forward and backward along the same direction that the wave travels.
Compression
The point in the longitudinal wave where the matter is pushed closer together.
