Waves Vocab Flashcards
Absorption
The transfer of energy by a wave to the medium through which it travels
Transmission
The passage of light/waves through an object
Reflection
The bouncing of a wave off a surface
The Law of Reflection
when a wave is reflected from a surface, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence
Refraction
The change in direction of a wave that occurs as the wave changes speed when moving from one medium to another.
Diffraction
The change in direction of a wave when it travels by the edge of an object or through an opening
Interference
The result of overlapping waves that combine to form a new wave
Constructive Interference
When 2 waves overlap to make a new wave with greater amplitude than either original wave
Destructive Interference
Occurs when crest of one wave overlaps with trough of another wave, making a wave that has an lower amplitude than either original wave
Standing Waves
When 2 waves of equal wavelength travel in opposite directions and overlap, making the wave appear to stand still
Compression
Where the medium particles are closest together
Amplitude
The max. distance a wave moves from its rest position
Crest
Highest point in a wave
Electromagnetic Wave
A type of wave that can travel through empty space as well as through matter
Frequency
The number of wavelengths that pass by a point each second
Longitudinal Wave
A wave that causes particles in a medium move parallel to the direction that the wave travels.
Mechanical Wave
They need matter (or a medium) to transfer energy
Medium
The substance through which a wave can travel. Ex. Air; water; particles; strings; solids; liquids; gases
Rarefaction
Regions of a longitudinal wave where the particles in the medium are farthest apart
Transverse Wave
A wave in which the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction of the wave
Trough
The lowest point on a transverse wave
Wave
A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter
Wavelength
The distance from one point of a wave to the same point on the next wave
angle of incidence
angle between direction of incoming wave and normal
