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Waves
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Waves | A disturbance that transfers energy from place to place. |
vibration | A repeated back-and-forth or up-and-down motion. |
Energy | Power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines. |
Mechanical Waves | Travel through a medium. |
Medium | The material a wave travels through (liquid, gas, or solid). |
Electromagnetic Waves | Waves can travel through empty space (UV, radio, microwaves). |
Transverse Waves | Waves that move the medium at right angles to the direction the waves are traveling. |
Longitudinal Waves | The medium moves parallel to the direction the waves are traveling. |
Compression | Particles are close together. |
Rarefaction | Particles are spread out. |
Crest | Where the displacement of the medium is at a maximum. |
Trough | Where the displacement of the medium is at a minimum |
Rest Position | Where the medium shows no disturbance. |
Amplitude | The maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave measured from its equilibrium position. |
Wavelength | The distance between two corresponding parts of a wave; units of measurement is m. |
Frequency | The number of complete waves (wavelengths) that pass a given point in a certain amount of time; Measured in units called hertz (Hz) |
Speed | How far the wave travels in a unit of time, or distance divided by time; unit for speed is meters per second, or m/s. |
Reflection | Light bounces off an object. |
Refraction | Bending of light waves as it passes through an object. |