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