science waves

What is a wave?

Transfers energy without moving matter.

What is a medium?

Material a wave travels through.

Two main wave types?

Transverse and longitudinal.

Transverse particles move?

Perpendicular to energy transfer.

Longitudinal particles move?

Parallel to energy transfer.

Example of transverse wave?

Light wave.

Example of longitudinal wave?

Sound wave.

What is a crest?

Highest point of wave.

What is a trough?

Lowest point of wave.

What is amplitude?

Maximum displacement from rest.

What is wavelength?

Distance between matching points.

What is frequency?

Waves passing each second.

Frequency unit?

Hertz (Hz).

What is period?

Time for one wave.

What is equilibrium?

Wave's resting position.

What is compression?

Particles close together.

What is rarefaction?

Particles spread apart.

Sound waves are?

Longitudinal.

Sound needs what to travel?

A medium.

Can sound travel in vacuum?

No.

Sound travels fastest in?

Solids.

Why fastest in solids?

Particles are closer together.

Higher temperature effect?

Sound travels faster.

What is pitch?

How high or low.

High frequency means?

High pitch.

Low frequency means?

Low pitch.

Pitch depends on?

Frequency.

What is loudness?

How loud sound is.

High amplitude means?

Louder sound.

Low amplitude means?

Quieter sound.

Loudness depends on?

Amplitude.

Wave speed formula?

v = f × λ

Symbol for speed?

v

Symbol for frequency?

f

Symbol for wavelength?

λ

What is reflection?

Wave bounces off surface.

What is refraction?

Wave bends entering medium.

Law of reflection?

Incidence angle equals reflection angle.

What is the normal?

90° line to surface.

Incident ray?

Incoming light ray.

Reflected ray?

Bounced light ray.

Refracted ray?

Bent light ray.

Regular reflection?

Clear reflection from smooth surface.

Diffuse reflection?

Scattered reflection from rough surface.

Angle measured from?

The normal.

30° incidence, reflection?

30°.

50° incidence, reflection?

50°.

85° incidence, reflection?

85°.

Why does refraction happen?

Light changes speed.

Air to glass bends?

Towards normal.