T2-U3M1L2 Mechanical Wave Interactions -U3M2L1 How Light Travels -SCI30

Mechanical Waves

Waves that require a medium for energy transfer, such as sound or water waves.

Reflection

The bouncing of a wave off a surface, changing its direction.

Absorption

The transfer of energy by a wave to the medium through which it travels.

Transmission

The passage of a wave through a medium.

Diffraction

The change in direction of a wave when it travels by the edge of an object or through an opening.

Amplitude

The height of a wave measured from the resting position, related to the energy of the wave.

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a point in one second, inversely related to wavelength.

Cochlea

A fluid-filled chamber in the inner ear, responsible for converting sound waves into nerve signals.

Opaque

Materials that do not allow any light to pass through; cannot see objects behind them.

Transparent

Materials that allow almost all light to pass through, allowing clear visibility of objects behind them.

Translucent

Materials that allow most light to pass through, but scatter it, making objects appear blurry.

Speed of Sound

The variable rate at which sound waves travel, faster in denser materials.

Speed of Light

The speed at which light waves travel through a vacuum, approximately 300,000 km/s.

Echo

The reflected sound wave that is heard after the original sound wave has been produced.

Intensity

The amount of energy that passes through a square meter of space in one second.