Waves Vocabulary

Question 1

Frequency

Answer 1

the number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time; the number of times something happens in a period of time

Question 2

Period

Answer 2

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’.

Question 3

Wave length

Answer 3

the distance between one peak and the next on a wave

Question 4

Crest

Answer 4

the highest point of a wave

Question 5

Trough

Answer 5

A trough is the opposite of a crest, so the minimum or lowest point in a cycle.

Question 6

Medium

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Amplitude

Answer 7

height or “strength” of a wave

Question 8

Longitudinal wave

Answer 8

a wave that vibrates in the same direction as it travels; also called a compression wave

Question 9

Electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 9

the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light.

Question 10

Transverse wave

Answer 10

a wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation.

Question 11

Compression

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Rarefaction

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Reflection

Answer 13

to strike a surface and bounce back in the opposite direction (related word: reflection)

Question 14

Refraction

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Diffraction

Answer 15

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.