Waves & Sound

Medium

Matter in which a mechanical wave travels

Amplitude

Determines the volume of sound

Doppler Effect

Increase or decrease in frequency of sound,light, or other waves as the source and observe move towards or away from each other

Resonance

When frequencies match

Rarefaction

Reduction in density of medium especially air on gas

Longitudinal

Waves in which the displacement of the medium is in he same direction as,or the opposite direction to the direction of propagation of wave

Wavelength

Distance between successive waves

Transverse

Wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation

Compression

Particles are closer to each other

Diffraction

Bending of waves around corners and through small spaces

Refraction

Bending waves through different matter because of change in speed

Frequency

Determines pitch

Mechanical

Wave that is oscillation of matter, therefore transfers energy through a medium

Reflection

Bouncing of waves

Interference

When two waves occupy the same space and time