Waves Vocabulary Flashcards
Frequency
Light is measured by its wavelength (in nanometers) or frequency (in Hertz). One wavelength. equals the distance between two successive wave crests or troughs. Frequency (Hertz) equals the number of waves that passes a given point per second.
Period
A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. wave period The time required for two successive wave crests to pass a fixed point, or the time for a single wave crest to travel a distance equal to the length of the wave. “wave period.” A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. . “wave period.”
Wavelength
the distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave.
Crest
A crest is the point on a wave with the maximum value of upward displacement within a cycle. A crest is a point on a surface wave where the displacement of the medium is at a maximum. A trough is the opposite of a crest, so the minimum or lowest point in a cycle.
Trough
A crest is the point on a wave with the maximum value of upward displacement within a cycle. A crest is a point on a surface wave where the displacement of the medium is at a maximum. 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. See more at wave .
Amplitude
Amplitude, in physics, the maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave measured from its equilibrium position. It is equal to one-half the length of the vibration path.
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
However instead of crests and troughs, longitudinal waves have compressions and rarefactions. 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
diminution in the density of something, especially air or a gas.
Reflection
Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves
Refraction
Reflection involves a change in direction of waves when they bounce off a barrier. Refraction of waves involves a change in the direction of waves as they pass from one medium to another. Refraction, or the bending of the path of the waves, is accompanied by a change in speed and wavelength of the waves
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.
