Wave Defonitions Flashcards
Frequency
The number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time
Period
The wave Period is the the time it takes to complete on cycle of the standard unit in wave periods.
Wavelength
The distance between successive crests of a wave.
Crest
A crest is the point on a wave with the maximum value of upwardness.
Trough
The middle or lowest point in a wave cycle.
Medium
A substance that makes it possible for energy to pass to one location to another.
Amplitude
The maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave.
Longitudeinal Wave
A wave vibrating in the direction of propagation.
electromagnetic wave
one of the waves that are propagated by simultaneous periodic variations of electric and magnetic field intensity and that include radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Transverse Wave
a wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation.
Compression
the reduction in volume (causing an increase in pressure) of the fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine before ignition.
rarefaction
diminution in the density of something, especially air or a gas.
Reflection
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.
