Waves Vocab 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 or portion of time
wavelength
the distance between one peak and the next on a wave
crest
the top of something such as a hill or wave
Trough
a channel used to convey a liquid
Medium
the matter that a wave travels through
amplitude
height or “strength” of a wave
longitudinal wave
a wave vibrating in the direction of propagation
Electromagnetic spectrum
the range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends.
transverse wave
a wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation
compression
A compression is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together
rarefaction
diminution in the density of something
reflection
the throwing back of something
refraction
The process of being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another or through a medium of varying density
diffraction
the process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced
