8.PS4.1 Introduction to Properties of Waves Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining key science terms related to the properties and behaviors of waves based on physical science lecture notes.

wave

disturbance that transfers energy

energy

ability to cause change or do work

medium

material a wave travels through

mechanical wave

wave that needs matter to travel

electromagnetic wave

wave that can travel without matter

amplitude

height of a wave from rest position

wavelength

distance from one wave crest to the next

frequency

number of waves passing a point each second

crest

highest point of a wave

trough

lowest point of a wave

rest position

middle position before the wave moves

wave speed

how fast a wave travels

vibration

back-and-forth motion

transverse wave

wave where particles move up and down while energy moves forward

longitudinal wave

wave where particles move back and forth in the same direction as energy

compression

crowded part of a longitudinal wave

rarefaction

spread-out part of a longitudinal wave

sound wave

mechanical wave we hear

light wave

electromagnetic wave we see

disturbance

movement that starts a wave