Unit 5 Waves And Light Flashcards
Definition
Term
Term
Definition
Wave
A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another
A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another
Wave
Medium
Material through which a wave travels
The material through which a wave travels
Medium
Longitudinal wave
Particles move back and forth in the same direction that the wave travels, or parallel to the wave
Particles move back and forth in the same direction that the wave travels, or parallel to the wave
Longitudinal wave
Transverse wave
Particles move perpendicularly to the direction the wave travels
Particles move perpendicularly to the wave travels
Transverse wave
Mechanical waves
Waves that require a medium
Waves that require a medium
Mechanical waves
Electromagnetic waves
Light and similar waves
Light and similar waves
Electromagnetic waves
Amplitude
Measure of how far particles in the medium move away from their normal rest position
The measure of how far particles in the medium move away from their normal rest position
Amplitude
Wavelength
The distance over which the waves shape repeats
The distance over which the waves shape repeats
Wavelength
Wave period (period)
The time required for one cycle
The time required for one cycle
Wave period (period)
Frequency
Tells you how many cycles occur in an amount of time, most commonly 1 s
Tells you how many cycles occur in an amount of time, most commonly 1 s
Frequency
Hertz
A unit, equal to one cycle per second
A unit, equal to one cycle per second
Hertz
Wavefronts
The peaks can be drawn as shapes, such as circles or spheres
The peaks can be drawn as shapes, such as circles or spheres
Wavefronts
Wave speed
The speed at which a wave travels
The speed of which a wave travels
Wave speed
Radiation
The transfer of energy as EM waves
The transfer of energy as EM waves
Radiation
Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum
Visible light is only a small range of frequencies that an EM can have
Visible light is only a small range of frequencies that an EM can have
Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum
Infrared
Light has slightly longer wavelengths than red light
Light has slight longer wavelengths than red light
Infrared
Ultraviolet
Light has slightly shorter wavelengths than violet light
Light has slightly shorter wavelengths than violet light
Ultraviolet
Transparent
Matter that transmits light
Matter that transmits light
Transparent
Translucent
Materials that transmit light but does not let the light travel straight through
Materials that transmit light but does not let the light travel straight through
Translucent
Opaque
Materials that don’t let any light pass through them
Materials that don’t let any light pass through them
Opaque
Absorption
The transfer of light energy to matter
The transfer of light energy to matter
Absorption
Reflection
The bouncing of light that falls on it
The bouncing of light off a surface
Reflection
Refraction
The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium into another at an angle
The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another at an angle
Refraction
Scattering
When light is sent in many directions as it passes through a medium
When light is sent in many directions as it passes through a medium
Scattering