wave unit vocab Flashcards
whats a wave
Wave- is a rhythmic disturbance that carries energy through matter and space.; carries energy from one place to another. Waves are a form of energy.
whats a wavelength
Wavelength- distance of a “repeating unit”, also called a cycle; measures how long a wave is
what’s amplitude
Amplitude- measures DISPLACEMENT (height of a wave) size of the disturbance; distance between “rest & crest” or “rest & trough”
what’s a trough
Trough- bottom, or lowest point of a wave
what’s a crest
Crest- “peak” or top of a wave
what’s speed (wave)
Speed- how fast the wave travels (velocity); measured by multiplying the wavelength by the wave frequency, v = w x f
what’s frequency
Frequency- How often number of wavelengths that pass any point per second
number of wavelength
what’s a medium
Medium- matter such as solid, liquid, or gas and is what a wave is carried by; ex/ ocean waves move through water
what’s an electromagnetic wave
Electromagnetic wave- the energy moves through disturbances in the electromagnetic field. Does not require a medium to travel through; energy is transferred by way of radiation.
what’s a mechanical wave
Mechanical wave- the energy is transferred by vibrations of medium. Three types of mechanical waves: transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves
what’s a transverse wave
Transverse wave- Vibration is perpendicular to the direction of the motion of the wave, the vibration is at 90 degrees (right angles) to the wave pulse
what’s longitudinal
Longitudinal (compression) wave- Vibration is in the same direction (parallel) as wave pulse (parallel to wave pulse)
what’s a longitudinal (compression) wave
Longitudinal (compression) wave- Vibration is in the same direction (parallel) as wave pulse (parallel to wave pulse)
what’s a surface wave
Surface wave- Vibration is circular Ex/ Ocean waves; ground surface waves
