Waves Flashcards
wave
a disturbance caused by a vibration; Waves travel away from the source that makes them
crest
the highest point of a wave
trough
the lowest point of a wave
amplitude
height or “strength” of a wave
frequency
the number of waves that pass a given point during a specified period of time
Wavelength
the distance between one peak and the next in a wave, or between one trough and the next
Period
a length of time (related word: periodic)
medium
any substance that carries the wave, or through which the wave travels
transverse wave
a wave that occurs when the particles of a medium are displaced perpendicularly to the direction of the wave
electromagnetic wave
a wave that can transport its energy through a vacuum
longitudinal wave
a wave that occurs when the particles of a medium move parallel to the direction of the wave
compression
occurs when rocks are squeezed by external forces directed toward one another to put stress on the rock, acting to decrease its volume or shorten its dimensions
rarefaction
area of decreased pressure following compression as a longitudinal wave propagates
reflection
a change in the direction of a wave when it hits a barrier and bounces back
refraction
a change in the direction and velocity which occurs when a seismic or electromagnetic wave travels from one material into another of different density, state, or elasticity
