Periodic Motion and Waves

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on periodic motion, waves, and experimental variables.

Periodic motion

Motion that is regular & repeating

Oscillation

One back & forth of a pendulum

Pendulum

This object consists of a relatively massive object hung by a string from a fixed

Variable

A factor, condition, or trait that can change

Transverse Wave

A wave that moves in an up & down motion

Hertz (hz)

Unit of #Cycles per Second

Equilibrium

The resting point of a Pendulum

Independent variable

The variable you change

Longitudinal (compression) Wave

A wave that moves side to side in motion

Refraction

Light, radio waves, etc being deflected in passing obliquely through one medium of varying density

Period (of a pendulum)

The time it takes the mass to complete a cycle

Constants (in an experiment)

Variables that are not changed/are kept the same

Dependant variable

The variable you measure

Frequency

The # of cycles completed in a peril of time

Reflection

An image seen in a mirror or shining surface