Waves, Sound and Light Flashcards
Wave
A disturbance that carries energy from one place to another.
Transverse waves
Waves in which the direction of vibration is perpendicular to the propagation (direction of which it travels) of the wave.
Longitudinal Waves
Waves in which the direction of vibration is parallel to the propagation of the wave.
Mechanical waves
Vibration of particles.
Electromagnetic waves
Disturbance/vibration of electric and magnetic (electromagnetic) fields.
Periodic Travelling Waves
Regularly repeating cycle that appears to move in the direction that a wave travels.
Travelling wave
Either mechanical or electromagnetic, is a disturbance that travels out from the source producing it, transferring energy from the source to other places through which it passes.
Crest
Highest Point of a transverse wave.
Trough
The lowest point of a transverse wave.
Oscillation (cycle)
One complete vibration of the source.
Wavelength
Distance from a point on a wave to the corresponding point on an adjacent wave.
Frequency
Number of waves passing any point per second. Measured in Hertz.
Amplitude
Maximum distance from the undisturbed position.
Velocity of a wave
Product of the wavelength and frequency.
Reflection
When a wave bounces off an object in its path.
