Waves Flashcards
Waves
The transport of energy without the transport of matter
P waves / longitudinal waves
- Shakes the ground back and forth in the same direction and opposite direction.
-They move fast
-sound waves
-needs a medium or material to pass through
S waves / transverse waves
-Secondary wave
-moves slowly up and down
-light waves
Amplitude
-Measures the height of the wave from the crest (high point) or trough (low point) of the wave to the midline
*higher amplitude = higher energy
Wave Lengths
Measures the horizontal distance between cycles
*Crest to crest
*shorter wavelength = higher energy
Frequency
Number of wave cycles that are completed in one second
*higher frequency = higher energy
Electromagnetic spectrum
Light waves with different energies, wavelengths, and frequencies
Visible light waves
-Light that humans can see
-Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet (ROY G BIV)
Transmission
The passing of waves through or into a medium
Reflection
The bouncing back of a wave after it strikes a barrier or object.
Absorption
The process of taking in or soaking up energy carried by a light wave.
Refraction
The bending of a wave when it strikes a medium at an angle