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S8P4.a
Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic & mechanical waves
Term | Definition |
---|---|
wave | periodic disturbance in a solid,liquid, or gas as energy is transmitted through a medium |
medium | physical environment in which a phenomena occur |
mechanical wave | wave that needs a medium in which to travel |
transverse wave | wave where particles of medium move perpendicularly to the direction the wave is traveling |
longitudinal wave | ave in which particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion |
compression | part of the longitudinal wave where the particles bunch up closer together |
rarefaction | part of the longitudinal wave where the particles expand and move apart |
electromagnetic wave | wave consisting of electric & magnetic fields that vibrate at right angles to each other |