Waves Vocabulary Flashcards
Wave
A disturbance caused by a vibration; Waves travel away from the source that makes them.
Crest
A particle is traveling along the water waves. The highest point of the wave is called a crest.
Trough
The lowest point of a wave
Amplitude
The height or strength of a wave
Frequency
the number of waves that pass a given point during a specified period of time
Wave length
the distance between one peak and the next on a wave
Period
The wave period is how much time it takes for one wave cycle to pass a given point
Medium
The matter through which the wave travels is called the medium (plural, media).
Transverse wave
Transverse waves are produced when the displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
Electromagnetic wave
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves formed by the interactions between electric and magnetic fields.
Longitudinal
Waves in which the motion of the individual particles of the medium is in a direction that is parallel to the direction of energy transport are called longitudinal waves.
Compression
a longitudinal wave (such as a sound wave) propagated by the elastic compression of the medium
Rarefraction
Waves in which the motion of the individual particles of the medium is in a direction that is parallel to the direction of energy transport (in a horizontal motion) are called longitudinal waves.
Reflection
When light is reflected, the angle at which the wave is incident on the smooth surface equals the angle at which it is reflected.
Refraction
Waves are refracted when they pass from one material to another with different properties
