Waves and Electromagnetic Spectrum Flashcards
The transfer of energy without transferring matter:
Wave
The highest point or peak of a wave:
Crest
The lowest point or valley of a wave:
Trough
The distance from the resting point to the crest of a wave:
Amplitude
The distance from crest to crest or trough to trough in a wave:
Wavelength
The number of waves that pass a given point in a set period of time:
Frequency
Time for a complete cycle to pass a given point:
Period
Matter through which a mechanical wave travels:
Medium
A wave in which the energy travels perpendicular to the direction of the disturbance:
Transverse Waves
A wave that does not need a medium to travel through:
Electromagnetic Wave
A wave in which the energy travels in the same direction as the disturbance:
Longitudinal Wave
The point in a longitudinal wave where the matter is pushed closer together:
Compression
The point in a longitudinal wave where the matter is spaced farther apart:
Rarefraction
When waves strike a surface and bounce back in another direction:
Reflection
The bending of waves as they pass through a material:
Refraction