Waves - Definitions Flashcards
refraction
the change in speed of light as it passes from one material to another
diffraction
the bending of waves at a gap or obstacle
transverse wave
a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction the wave is travelling in
longitudinal wave
a wave in which the particle of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction the wave is travelling in
amplitude
height measured from the middle to a crest (m)
wavelength
Distance from crest to crest or trough to trough. (m)
frequency
Nummber of waves produced per second (Hz)
velocity
Speed of the travelling wave. (m/s)
period
time for one wave to pass a point. (s)
trough
the lowest point of a wave
Crest
the highest point of a wave
compressions
the region in a longitudinal wave where the paricles are closest together
rarefractions
the region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest apart
