Waves Flashcards
Wave
The transfer of energy without transferring matter
Crest
Highest point or peak of a wave
Trough
The lowest point or valley of a wave
Amplitude
The distance between the resting point and the crest
Frequency
The number of waves that pass a given point in a set period of time
Wavelength
The distance from crest to crest or trough to trough in a wave
Period
Time for a complete cycle to pass a given point
Medium
Matter through which a mechanical wave travels
Transverse Wave
A wave in which the energy travels perpendicular to the disturbance
Electromagnetic Wave
A wave that does not need matter (a medium) to travel through
Longitudinal Wave
A wave in which the energy travels 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 when they pass through materials