vocab Flashcards
wave
A rhythmic disturbance that transfers energy through a matter of space
medium
matter through which a wave travels through;can be solid, liquid, or gas
period
the amount of time it takes one wavelength to apss a point
frequency
the number of waves that pass a given point in one second
mechanical waves(sound waves)
must travel through particles, so they travel fastest through solids, then liquids, then gases, due to the closeness of the particles.
electromagnetic waves (light waves)
waves capable of transferring energy
through a vacuum
transverse waves
matter in the medium moves back and
forth at right angles to the direction that the wave is traveling
longitudinal waves
matter in the medium moves back and
forth in the same direction that the wave is traveling.
amplitude
amount of energy carried by a wave
reflection
when a wave strikes an object
and bounces off of it
refraction
the bending of waves caused by
a change in its speed as it moves from one
medium through another
diffraction
when an object causes a wave
to change direction and bend around it
Absorption
when a wave strikes an object
and goes into it
interference
when two or more waves combine
to form a new wave
standing waves
special type of wave pattern
that forms when waves equal in wavelength and
amplitude, but traveling in opposite directions,
continuously interfere with each other.
