Term |
Definition |
Wave |
a transfer of energy from one point to another via a traveling disturbance |
wavelength |
distance from successive crest to crest or trough to trough. It is measure in meters. |
crest |
the highest point of a wavelength |
trough |
the lowest point of wavelength |
frequency |
number of waves passing by per second. It is measured in hertz. |
amplitude |
the maximum displacement of the wave. it is the distance from the middle of the wave to the crest |
mechanical waves |
waves that are produced by a source of oscillations and required a medium for the energy to move. Some examples are sound waves, water waves and stadium waves. |
electromagnetic waves |
waves that are produced by the vibration of charged particles and does require a medium so energy can travel through empty space. |
medium |
substance that waves travel through |
transverse waves |
waves that travel perpendicular to direction of motion. |
longitudinal waves |
waves that travel parallel to the direction of motion. This is done by the compressions and rarefactions in the medium that they are traveling in. |
Reflection |
waves bounce off a material and goes in a new direction |
refraction |
wave passes through a material and bends. Think contact lens. |
Diffraction |
waves bends around or goes through a hole in a material |
Absorption |
wave is absorbed by a material and may disappear. An example is sound proofing material |
constructive interference |
waves add up and build up a larger wave of higher amplitude |
destructive interference |
waves combine and make a wave of smaller amplitude |