Wave Science vocab Flashcards

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1
Q

Wave

A

Is a rhythmic disturbance that carries energy through matter and space.; carries energy from one place to another. Waves are a form of energy.

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2
Q

Wavelength

A

Distance of a “repeating unit”, also called a cycle; measures how long a wave is

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3
Q

Amplitude

A

measures DISPLACEMENT (height of a wave) size of the disturbance; distance between “rest & crest” or “rest & trough”

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4
Q

Trough

A

bottom, or lowest point of a wave

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5
Q

Crest

A

“peak” or top of a wave

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6
Q

Speed

A

how fast the wave travels (velocity); measured by multiplying the wavelength by the wave frequency, v = w x f

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7
Q

Frequency

A

How often number of wavelengths that pass any point per second
number of wavelength

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8
Q

Medium

A

matter such as solid, liquid, or gas and is what a wave is carried by; ex/ ocean waves move through water

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9
Q

Electromagnetic wave

A

the energy moves through disturbances in the electromagnetic field. Does not require a medium to travel through; energy is transferred by way of radiation.

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10
Q

Mechanical wave

A

the energy is transferred by vibrations of medium. Three types of mechanical waves: transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves

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11
Q

Transverse wave

A

Vibration is perpendicular to the direction of the motion of the wave, the vibration is at 90 degrees (right angles) to the wave pulse

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12
Q

Longitudinal (compression) wave

A

Vibration is in the same direction (parallel) as wave pulse (parallel to wave pulse)

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13
Q

Surface wave

A

Vibration is circular Ex/ Ocean waves; ground surface waves

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