Science Vocab Waves Flashcards
frequency
the number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time; the number of times something happens in a period of time
wavelength
the distance between one peak and the next on a wave
crest
the highest point of a wave
amplitude
height or “strength” of a wave
period
The wave period is the time it takes to complete one cycle. The standard unit of a wave period is in seconds, and it is inversely proportional to the frequency of a wave, which is the number of cycles of waves that occur in one second. In other words, the higher the frequency of a wave, the lower the wave period.
Trough
Crest and trough. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. A crest is the point on a wave with the maximum value of upward displacement within a cycle. A crest is a point on a surface wave where the displacement of the medium is at a maximum. A trough is the opposite of a crest, so the minimum or lowest point in a cycle.
Medium
the intervening substance through which impressions are conveyed to the senses or a force acts on objects at a distance
longitudinal wave
a wave vibrating in the direction of propagation.
electromagnetic spectrum
the range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends.
transverse wave
a wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation.
compression
the action of compressing or being compressed.
rarefaction
diminution in the density of something, especially air or a gas.
reflection
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the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.
refraction
the fact or phenomenon of light, radio waves, etc. being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another or through a medium of varying density.
diffraction
the process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced.
