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chap 17/18 vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Mechanical Wave | A disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another |
Medium | The material though which a wave travels |
Crest | The highest point of the wave above the rest position |
Trough | The lowest point below the rest position |
Transverse waves | A wave that causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the direction in 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 | The repeating time intervals |
Frequency | Any periodic motion- Number of complete cycles in a given time |
Wavelength | The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle of the wave |
Hertz | Frequency measure in cycles per second |
Amplitude | The maximum displacement of the medium from its rest position |
Reflection | Waves bounce 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 trough a narrow opening |
Interference | When two or more waves overlap and combind together |
Constructive Interference | When two or more waves combine to produce a wave with a larger displacment |
Destructive Interference | Occurs when two or more waves combine to produce a wave with a smaller displacement |
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 |
Period | The time required for one cycle, a complete motion that returns to its starting position |
Electromagnetic Waves | Transverse waves consisting of changing electric fields and changing magnetic fields |
Electrical Field | Exerts electric forces on charged particles in a region OF space. |
Magnetic Field | Produces magnetic forces in a region of space |
Electromagnetic Radiation | The transfer of 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 |
Electromagnetic Spectrum | The full range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation |
Amplitude Modulation | The amplitude of the wave is varied |
Frequency Modulation | The frequency of the wave is varied |
Thermograms | A device that uses color-coded pictures that show variations in temperature |