Waves, Sound, and Light Vocabulary Review

These flashcards cover the vocabulary terms associated with waves, sound, and light, aiding in comprehension and retention for the upcoming exam.

Waves

Rhythmic disturbances that carry energy through matter or space.

Amplitude

The height of a wave; the maximum distance of a wave from its rest position.

Frequency

The number of wavelengths that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave.

Transverse Wave

A type of wave in which the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Compressional Wave

A type of mechanical wave in which matter in the medium moves forward and backward along the direction the wave travels.

Reflection

When a wave strikes an object or surface and bounces off.

Refraction

Bending of a wave as it moves from one medium into another.

Diffraction

The bending of waves around barriers or through openings.

Doppler Effect

Change in frequency of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the wave.

Echolocation

The process of using reflected sound waves to determine distances or locate objects.

Sound Wave

A compressional wave that travels through a medium, producing vibrations that are heard as sound.

Ultraviolet Radiation

Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths shorter than visible light and can cause burns.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of electromagnetic waves organized by wavelength, from radio waves to gamma rays.

Vibrations

Rapid oscillations of matter which produce sound waves.

Light

Electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye.

Lens

A transparent object that bends light rays, having at least one curved surface.

Concave Mirror

A mirror with a surface that curves inward, causing light rays to converge.

Convex Mirror

A mirror with a surface that curves outward, causing light rays to diverge.

Maximum Intensity

The peak energy output of a sound wave, related to how loud the sound is.

Music

A pattern of sounds deliberately produced to create a regular rhythm and pitch.

Echo

A reflected sound wave heard after a delay.

Resonance

The reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of another object.

Sonar

A system that uses reflected sound waves to locate objects underwater.

Tsunami

A series of ocean waves with very long wavelengths caused by large disturbances, typically seismic events.

Optical Fiber

A flexible transparent fiber made of glass or plastic that transmits light and enables data transmission.

Wave Speed

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium; calculated as speed = frequency x wavelength.

Carrier Wave

Radio waves used to carry information in telecommunications.

Ozone Layer

A region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Gamma Rays

The highest frequency electromagnetic waves, produced during nuclear reactions and can be harmful to living tissues.