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 length or portion of time.
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
Medium
Part of the frequency
Amplitude
height or “strength” of a wave
longitudinal wave
The disturbane moves in the
same direction of the waves
Electromagnetic spectrum
the range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends.
Transverse waves
Energy causes the matter
in the medium to move in
all direction.
Compression
One part of a longitudinal wave
A part of a longitudinal wave
Rare faction
to strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction
Reflection
refraction
Refraction, in physics, the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed. For example, waves in deep water travel faster than in shallow.
diffraction
various phenomena that occur when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit. It is defined as the bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle.
