Waves Flashcards
Frequency
The rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample .
Period
The interval of time between successive occurrences of the same state in a oscillatory or cyclic phenomenon
Wavelength
The distances between successive crests of a wave especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave
Crest
The point on a wave with the maximum value of upward displacement within a cycle
Trough
The minimum or lowest point in a wavelength cycle
Medium
The substance or material that carries a mechanical wave
Amplitude
The maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation measured from the positive of equilibrium
Longitudinal wave
A wave vibrating in the direction of propagation
Electromagnetic spectrum
A wave that is propagated by simultaneous periodic variations of electric and magnetic field intensity
Transverse wave
A wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation
Compression
Balanced pushing force. To different points on a material or structure
Rarefaction
The reduction of an items density
Reflection
The change in direction of wave front at an interface between two different media so that wave front returns into the medium from which it originated
Refraction
The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed
Diffraction
The bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or aperture into the region of geometrical shadow
