Waves Flashcards
A substance through which a wave moves
Medium
A wave, such as a sound or seismic wave, that transfers kinetic energy through matter
Mechanical wave
A type of wave in which the disturbance moves at right angles, or perpendicular, to the direction in which the wave travels
Transverse wave
A type of wave in which the disturbance moves the same direction the wave travels
Longitudinal wave
The highest point, or peak, of a wave
Crest
The lowest point, or valley, of a wave
Trough
The maximum distance that a disturbance causes a medium to move from its rest position
Amplitude
The distance from a wave, peak, or crest to the next peak or crest
Wavelength
The number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time, usually one second
Frequency
The bouncing back of a wave after it strikes a barrier
Reflection
The bending of a wave as it crosses the boundary between two mediums at an angle other than ninth degrees
Refraction
The speeding out of waves as they pass through an opening or around the edges of an obstacle
Diffraction
The meeting and combing of waves
Interference
A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without requiring matter to move the entire distance
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