Waves Vocabulary 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 time period (denoted by ‘T’ ) is the time needed for one complete cycle of vibration to pass in a given point. As the frequency of a wave increases, the time period of the wave decreases. The unit for time period is ‘seconds’.
Wave length
the distance between one peak and the next on a wave
Crest
the highest point of a wave
Trough
A trough is the opposite of a crest, so the minimum or lowest point in a cycle.
Medium
A substance that makes possible the transfer of energy from one location to another, especially through waves. For example, matter of sufficient density can be a medium for sound waves, which transfer mechanical energy.
Amplitude
height or “strength” of a wave
Longitudinal wave
a wave that vibrates in the same direction as it travels; also called a compression wave
Electromagnetic spectrum
the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light.
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. A rarefaction is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest apart.
Rarefaction
Rarefaction is the reduction of an item’s density, the opposite of compression. Like compression, which can travel in waves (sound waves, for instance), rarefaction waves also exist in nature. A common rarefaction wave is the area of low relative pressure following a shock wave
Reflection
to strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction (related word: reflection)
Refraction
Refraction, in physics, the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed. For example, waves in deep water travel faster than in shallow.
Diffraction
Diffraction refers to various phenomena that occur when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit. It is defined as the bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle.
