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Waves
Review of the characteristics of waves
Term | Definition |
---|---|
energy | is the ability to do work |
wave | is a disturbance that transfers energy from place to place |
vibrations | are repeated back-and-forth or up-and-down motions |
medium | material through which a wave travels |
mechanical waves | waves that require a medium through which to travel |
longitudinal waves | waves that move the medium parallel to the direction in which the waves travel |
transverse waves | waves that move the medium perpendicular to the direction in which the waves travel |
surface waves | waves that occur at the surface between 2 mediums |
amplitude | height of the wave from crest to resting position or trough to resting position; or how compressed or rarefied the medium becomes; is a direct measure of a wave's energy |
wavelength | length from crest to crest or trough to trough |
frequency | is the number of complete waves that pass a certain point in a given amount of time |
hertz (Hz) | units that measure frequency |
speed | how fast or slow a wave travels; formula - wavelength X formula = speed |
refraction | bending of a wave caused by its change in speed when entering a new medium |
reflection | when a wave hits a surface and bounces back |
diffraction | when a wave moves pass a barrier or through a hole in a barrier, it bends and spreads out |
constructive interference | when 2 waves combine to make a bigger wave (larger amplitude) |
destructive interference | when the amplitudes of 2 waves combine to make a wave with a smaller wave (smaller or zero amplitude) |
standing wave | a wave that appears to be staying in one place, but are 2 waves that are interfering with each other |