Wave Energy/ Light/ Sound Unit Flashcards
Any substance a wave travels through
A medium
A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another
A Wave
Waves that transfer energy through matter
Mechanical Waves
Wave that the disturbance moves at right angles to the direction the wave travels
Transverse Waves
Wave that travels in the same direction as the disturbance
Longitudinal Wave
The highest point in a transverse wave
Crest
The lowest point in a transverse wave
Trough
Part of a longitudinal wave that the particles of the medium are ‘bunched up’ or ‘squished together’
Compression
Part of a longitudinal wave that the particles in the medium are ‘spread apart’
Rarefaction
The maximum distance a wave travels from its resting point. Distance from the crest or trough to its resting place
Amplitude
Distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave. It is usually measured from crest to crest or compression to compression
Wavelength
The number of wavelengths that pass a point in one second
Frequency
The relationship between wavelength and frequency is that when frequency (BLANK1) wavelength (BLANK2). When frequency (BLANK2) wavelength (BLANK1).
Blank 1: Increases, Blank 2: Decreases
How can wave speed be calculated? What is it measured in?
Wavelength times Frequency- the measurement is in m/ s (meters per second)
A wave bouncing off an object or barrier
Reflection