Physics

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Transverse wave

A type of wave where the surface of the medium moves perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.

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Longitudinal wave

Wave where particles move parallel to direction
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Amplitude

Maximum height of a wave (energy)
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Wavelength (λ)

Distance between two identical points on a wave
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Frequency (Hz)

Number of waves per second
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Wave speed

Speed a wave travels
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Wave equation

v = fλ
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Hertz (Hz)

Unit of frequency
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Electromagnetic spectrum

All types of electromagnetic waves
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Radio waves

Lowest frequency EM waves
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Gamma rays

Highest frequency EM waves
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Visible light

Only part of spectrum humans can see
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High frequency waves

Carry more energy
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Sound wave

Longitudinal wave that travels through a medium
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Medium

Substance waves travel through
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Compression

Area where particles are close together
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Rarefaction

Area where particles are spread apart
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Doppler effect

Change in pitch due to movement
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Ultrasound

Sound above 20,000 Hz
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Eardrum

Vibrates when sound enters ear
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Cochlea

Converts vibrations into signals for brain
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Light wave

Transverse electromagnetic wave
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Speed of light

3 × 10⁸ m/s
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Reflection

Light bouncing off a surface
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Refraction

Light bending when entering new medium
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Angle of incidence

Angle between incoming ray and normal
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Angle of reflection

Angle between reflected ray and normal
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Transparent

Allows light to pass through
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Retina

Part of eye where image forms
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Lens

Focuses light onto retina
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Displacement

Distance in a direction
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Velocity

Speed with direction
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Acceleration

Change in velocity over time
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Force

Push or pull
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Newton (N)

Unit of force
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Inertia

Resistance to change in motion
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Newton’s First Law

Objects stay at rest or motion unless acted on
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Newton’s Second Law

F = ma
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Newton’s Third Law

Every action has equal and opposite reaction
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