Waves

Question 1

Frequency

Answer 1

the number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time; the number of times something happens in a period of time

Question 2

Period

Answer 2

a length or portion of time

Question 3

Wavelength

Answer 3

the distance between one peak and the next on a wave

Question 4

Crest

Answer 4

the highest point of a wave

Question 5

Trough

Answer 5

the minimum or lowest point in a cycle

Question 6

Medium

Answer 6

the transfer of energy from one location to another, especially through waves

Question 7

Amplitude

Answer 7

height or “strength” of a wave

Question 8

Longitudinal wave

Answer 8

a wave that vibrates in the same direction as it travels; also called a compression wave

Question 9

Electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 9

the range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends.

Question 10

Transverse wave

Answer 10

a wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation

Question 11

Compression

Answer 11

the application of balanced inward (“pushing”) forces to different points on a material or structure, that is, forces with no net sum or torque directed so as to reduce its size in one or more directions

Question 12

Rarefaction

Answer 12

is the reduction of an item’s density, the opposite of compression. Like compression, which can travel in waves (sound waves, for instance), rarefaction waves also exist in nature

Question 13

Reflection

Answer 13

to strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction

Question 14

Refraction

Answer 14

is the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another or from a gradual change in the medium

Question 15

Diffraction

Answer 15

the spreading out of waves as they pass through an aperture or around objects