Waves Science Flashcards
Frequency
the number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time; the number of times something happens in a period of time
Period
a length of time (related word: periodic)
Wavelength
the distance between one peak and the next on a wave
Crest
the highest point of a wave
Trough
the lowest point of a wave
Medium
an intervening substance, as air, through which a force acts or an effect is produced.
Amplitude
height or “strength” of a wave
Longitudinal Wave
a wave that occurs when the particles of a medium move parallel to the direction of the wave
Electromagnetic Spectrum
the full range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves
Transverse Wave
a wave that occurs when the particles of a medium are displaced perpendicularly 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
Rarefraction
Decrease of density in medium in a constitutional wave.
Reflection
to strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction (related word: reflection)
Refraction
to bend light as it passes through a material (related word: refraction)
Diffraction
the bending of waves, especially sound and light waves, around obstacles in their path.
