Waves Flashcards
Oscillation
Moving to and fro about a certain position along a line.
Transverse wave
Wave in which the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
Perpendicular
At right angles.
Longitudinal wave
Wave in which the vibrations are parallel to direction of energy transfer.
Compressions
Squeezed together.
Rarefraction
Stretched apart.
Electromagnetic wave
Electric and magnetic disturbance that transfers energy form one place to another. The spectrum of electromagnetic waves, in order of increasing wavelength, is as follows: gamma rays and x-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves and radio waves.
Mechanical wave
Vibrations that travels through a substance.
Amplitude
The height of a wave crest or a wave through of a transverse wave from the same position.
Wavelength
The distance from one wave crest ( along the waves).
Frequency
The number of waves crest passed a fixed point every second.
Speed
Distance moved (divid by) time taken.
Plane mirror
A flat mirror.
Normal
Straight line though a surface or boundary perpendicular to the surface or boundary.
Angle of incidence
Angle between the incident ray and the normal
Angle of reflection
Angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
Real image
An image formed where light rays meet.
Virtual image
The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected by the human eye.
Boundary
Line along which two substances meet.
Refraction
The change of direction of a light ray when it passes across a boundary between two transparent substances ( including air).
Diffraction
The spreading of waves when they pass through a gap or around the edges of an obstacle that has a similar size as the wavelength of the waves.
Sound
A from of mechanical energy.
Echo
Reflection of sound that can be heard.
Pitch
The pitch of a sound increases if the frequency of the sound waves increases
