Waves Flashcards
the number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time; the number of times something happens in a period of time
Frequency
A period is the name given to a horizontal row of the periodic table
Period
the distance between one peak and the next on a wave
Wavelength
the highest point of a wave
Crest
The lowest point of a wave
Trough
A substance that makes possible the transfer of energy from one location to another
Medium
height or “strength” of a wave
Amplitude
a wave that vibrates in the same direction as it travels; also called a compression wave
Longitude wave
the range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends
Electromagnetic spectrum
a wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation
Transverse wave
being squished down or made smaller or more pressed together
Compression
the particles in a gas become more spread out. You may come across this word in the context of sound waves. A sound wave moving through air is made up of alternating areas of higher and lower density
Rarefaction
to strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction
Reflection
the change of direction of a ray of light
Refraction
process by which light waves break up into dark and light bands or into the colors of the spectrum
Diffraction
