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Chapter 17 Vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Mechanical Wave | A disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another |
Medium | The material through which a wave travels |
Crest | The highest point of the wave above the rest |
Trough | The lowest point below the wave |
Transverse Wave | A wave that causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels |
Compression | An area where the particles in a medium are spaced close together |
Rarefaction | An area where the particles in a medium are spread out |
Longitudinal Wave | A wave in which the vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels |
Surface Wave | A wave that travels along a surface separating two media |
Periodic Motion | Any motion that repeats at regular time intervals |
Period | A complete motion that returns to its starting point |
Frequency | The number of complete cycles in a given time |
Amplitude | The maximum displacement of the medium from its rest position |
Reflection | Occurs when a wave bounces off a surface that it cannot pass |
Refraction | The bending of a wave as it enters a new medium at an angle |
Diffraction | The bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening |
Interfernce | Occurs when two or more waves overlap and combine together |
Constructive Interference | Occurs when two more waves combine to produce a wave with a larger displacement |
Destructive Interference | Occurs when two or more waves combine to produce a wave with a smaller displacements |
Standing Wave | A wave that appears to stay in one place |
Node | A point on a standing wave that has no displacement from the rest position |
Antinode | A point where a crest or trough occurs midway between two nodes |
Electromagnetic Waves | Transverse waves consisting of changing electric fields and changing magnetic waves |
Electric Field | Exerts electric forces on charged particles |
Magnetic Field | Produces magnetic forces |
Electromagnetic Radiation | The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves traveling through matter or across space |
Photoelectric Effect | The emission of electrons from a metal caused by light striking the metal |
Photons | Packets of electromagnetic energy |
Intensity | The rate at which a wave's energy flows through a given unit of area |
Electromagnetic Spectrum | The full range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation |
Amplitude Modulation | The amplitude of a wave is varied |
Frequency Modulation | The frequency of the wave is varied |
Thermograms | color-coded pictures that show variations in temperature |