| 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 |
