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Waves
Physical Science Waves
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Amplification | The strengthening of a wave when two crests meet. Often used to increase the intensity of a sound wave. |
Acoustics | The scientific study of sound/ the behavior of sound waves inside of a given space. (example: sound in an auditorium) |
Decibel | The unit of measure for the intensity or volume of sound. (dB) |
Doppler Effect | The change in perceived pitch that occurs when the source of sound or the observer of the sound is moving. |
Intensity | The amount of energy in a wave |
Hertz | The unit of measure for frequency. (Hz) |
Pitch | The quality of highness or lowness of sound due to frequency and wavelength. |
Resonance | When one object vibrating at the same natural frequency of a second object forces that second object into vibrational motion. |
Vacuum | A space containing little or no particles of matter |
Amplitude | The height of a wave from the medium's resting position |
Wavelength | A measure from crest to crest on a wave (or any point on the wave to the same point on the next wave) |
Trough | The lowest point of a wave |
Crest | The highest point on a wave |
Mechanical wave | A wave that requires a medium to transmit energy/ can be transverse or longitudinal (ex. sound wave) |
Electromagnetic wave | An E.M. wave is one that does not require a medium, but can move through a medium in order to transmit energy. EM waves are transverse waves. |
Transverse waves | A wave in which the medium moves perpendicular to the energy flow. |
Longitudinal waves | A wave in which the medium moves parallel to the energy flow. |