Making waves

A disturbance that transfers energy progressively from point to point in a medium.

Waves

Waves that transfer energy through the vibrations of a medium (matter).

Mechanical Waves

Waves that do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves where particle motion is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Transverse Waves

Waves where particle motion is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Longitudinal Waves

The distance between one point on a wave and the next identical point.

Wavelength

The time it takes for one complete wave to pass a point.

Period

The number of wavelengths that pass a point each second.

Frequency

The maximum distance from the zero displacement position to the crest or trough of a wave.

Amplitude

The highest point of a wave.

Crest

The lowest point of a wave.

Trough

Regions of lower pressure in a longitudinal wave.

Rarefactions

Regions of higher pressure in a longitudinal wave.

Compressions

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium.

Velocity

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The bouncing back of light when it hits a surface.

Reflection

Scattering of light from rough surfaces.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection from smooth surfaces that produces clear images.

Regular Reflection

The incoming ray of light that strikes a surface.

Incident Ray

A lens that diverges light rays and has a focal point.

Concave Lens

A lens that converges light rays to a focal point.

Convex Lens

The transfer of heat through the movement of particles in a fluid.

Convection

The transfer of heat through vibrating particles.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

Radiation

The separation of light into its component colors when passing through a prism.

Dispersion

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Refraction