click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Ally Brown
Chapter 17/18
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 position |
Trough | The lowest point below the rest position |
Transverse Wave | A wave that causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels |
Compression | An area of where the particles in a medium are 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 seperating two media |
Periodic Motion | Any motion that repeats at regular intervals |
Period | The time required for one cycle |
Frequency | The number of complete cycles in a given time |
Hertz | Cycles per second, measures frequency. |
Wavelength | The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle of the wave. |
Amplitude | The maximum displacement of a point from its rest position |
Reflection | Occurs when a wave bounces off a surface that it cannot pass through |
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 |
Interference | Occurs when two or more waves overlap or combine |
Constructive Interference | Occurs when two or 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 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 fields |
Electric Field | A region of space exerts electric forces on charged particles |
Magnetic Field | A region of space produces magnetic forces |
Electromagnetic Radiation | The transfer of energy bu 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 the wave is varied, the frequency remains the same. |
Frequency Modulation | The frequency of the wave is varied, the amplitude remains the same. |
Thermograms | Color-coded pictures that show variations in temperatures. |