Vocab Waves Flashcards
Refraction
Refraction is the change in direction of wave propagation due to a change in its transmission medium. The phenomenon is explained by the conservation of energy and the conservation of momentum.
Reflection
An image seen in a shiny surface.
Frequency
The number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time; the number of times something happens in a period of time.
Amplitude
Height or “strength” of a wave.
Compression
Occurs when rocks are squeezed by external forces directed toward one another to put stress on the rock, acting to decrease its volume or shorten its dim.
Period
A length of time.
Transverse wave
A wave that occurs when the particles of a medium are displaced perpendicularly to the direction of the wave.
Electromagnetic spectrum
The full range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves.
Rarefraction
The lessening of density in a longitudinal way.
Wavelength
The distance between one peak and the next on a wave.
Trough
The lowest point of a wave.
Crest
The highest point of a wave.
Diffraction
Diffraction refers to various phenomena that occur when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit. It is defined as the bending of light around the corners of an obstacle or aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle.
