General Science Reviewer - Light and Waves

Vocabulary flashcards based on the General Science Reviewer covering characteristics of light, wave properties, and wave-based detection/communication technologies.

Reflection

The bouncing back of light from a surface, or the bouncing of light or sound waves when they hit a surface or object.

Refraction

The bending of light when it passes through different media.

Diffraction

The bending and spreading of light around obstacles or through openings.

Interference

The interaction of light waves that can strengthen or weaken the waves.

Scattering

The spreading of light in different directions by particles.

Dispersion

The separation of white light into different colors.

Polarization

The restriction of light vibrations to one direction.

Transmission

The passing of light through a material.

Absorption

The process of taking in light energy.

Emission

The release of light energy from a source.

Propagation

The movement or travel of light from one place to another.

Intensity

The amount of light energy passing through a given area.

Wavelength

The distance between corresponding points of consecutive light waves.

Frequency

The number of light-wave cycles passing a point per second.

Speed

The rate at which light travels; in vacuum, about $3 \times 10^8;\text{m/s}$.

Color

The property of light determined mainly by its wavelength or frequency.

Rectilinear Propagation

The tendency of light to travel in straight lines through a uniform medium.

Innovation

The use of new technologies and ideas to improve how things are created, used, or experienced.

Light Waves

Waves used in technologies for communication, measurement, and navigation.

Sound Waves

Waves used for communication, detection, and navigation.

Fiber Optic Technology

Uses light to transmit data over long distances with minimal loss.

Fiber Optic

Thin strands of glass or plastic that guide light.

Data Transmission

The process of sending data from one place to another.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

A technology that sends voice data through the internet.

Wi-Fi

A wireless technology used to connect devices to the internet.

Mobile Data

Internet access provided through a cellular network.

Sonar

Uses sound waves to detect objects and measure distances, especially underwater.

Radar

A technology that uses waves to detect objects and measure their distance.

Active Sonar

Emits sound waves and detects the waves that bounce back from an object.

Passive Sonar

Detects and analyzes sounds coming from objects or creatures without sending out its own sound waves.

Sensor

A device that detects and measures signals, sounds, or waves.

Ocean Depth Measurement

The use of sonar to determine the depth of the ocean.

Maritime Navigation

The use of technology to safely navigate through water.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)

Uses laser light to measure the distance to objects.

Laser

A concentrated beam of light used by LiDAR systems.

Light Pulses

Rapid bursts of laser light sent toward an object.

3D Mapping

Creating a three-dimensional map of an environment.

Topographic LiDAR

LiDAR used to map land surfaces and terrain.

Bathymetric LiDAR

LiDAR used to measure and map underwater areas.