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Wave
a periodic disturbance in a solid, liquid, or gas as energy is transmitted through a medium.
Medium
a physical environment in which phenomena occur.
Transverse wave
a wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicularly to the direction the wave is traveling.
Transverse
Moving across
Perpendicular
at right angles
Trough
lowest point between each crest
Crest
highest point on a transverse wave
Electromagnetic waves
do not need a medium, can go through matter, such as air, water, and glass.
Mechanical waves
need a medium, travel by vibrating substances.
Longitudinal wave
a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion
Compression
a part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are crowded together.
Rarefaction
A part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart.
Sound waves
longitudinal wave, travel by compressions and rarefactions of air particles.
Surface wave
transverse and longitudinal waves combine
waves transfer ________
energy
Amplitude
the maximum distance that the particles of a wave's medium vibrate from their rest position
Larger amplitude =
more energy
wavelength
the distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave.
measuring wavelength
measure from any 2 corresponding points that are adjacent on a wave
shorter wavelength =
more energy
waveheight
how tall a wave is from the trough to the crest
frequency
the number of waves produced in a given amount of time
wave speed
the speed at which a wave travels through a medium
Wave equation
v=v*ƒ
Reflection
the bouncing back of a ray of light, sound, or heat when the ray hits a surface that it does not go through.
echo
a reflected sound wave
refraction
the bending of a wave as the wave passes between two substances in which the speed of the wave differs
diffraction
a change in the direction of the wave when the wave finds an obstacle or an edge, such as an opening
interference
the combination of 2 or more waves that results in a single wave
constructive interference
when waves do this, the combined wave has a larger amplitude
destructive interference
when 2 waves with the same amplitude combine by _____, they cancel each other out
standing wave
a pattern of vibration that simulates a wave that is standing still
resonance
a phenomenon that occurs when 2 objects naturally vibrate at the same frequency; the sound produced by one object causes the other object to vibrate.
