Waves Flashcards
Wave
The transfer of energy without transferring matter
Crest
The highest point or peak of a wave
Trough
The lowest point or valley of a wave
Amplitude
The distance from the resting point to the crest of a wave
Wavelength
The distance from crest to crest or trough to trough in a wave
Frequency
The number of waves that pass a given point in a set period of time
Period
Time for a complete cycle to pass a given point
Medium
Matter through which a mechanical wave travels
Transverse Waves
A wave in which the energy travels perpendicular to the direction of the disturbance
Electromagnetic Wave
A wave that does not need a medium to travel through
Longitudinal wave
A wave in which the energy travels in the same direction as the disturbance
Compression
The point in a longitudinal wave where the matter is pushed closer together
Rarefraction
The point in a longitudinal wave where the matter is spaced farther apart
Reflection
When waves strike a surface and bounce back in another direction
Refraction
The bending of waves as they pass through a material: R​
Diffraction
Waves spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or around an edge of material
What do you do to get the speed of a wave
Multiply wavelength times frequency 5 m x 8 Hz = 40 m/s
What do you do to get frequency
Divide wavelength from speed 100 m/s / 20 m = 5Hz
What do you do to get wavelength
Divide frequency from speed 500 m/s / 20 Hz = 25 m
