Save
Busy. Please wait.
Log in with Clever
or
show password
Forgot Password?
Don't have an account?  Sign up 
Sign up using Clever
or
Username is available taken
show password


Make sure to remember your password. If you forget it there is no way for StudyStack to send you a reset link. You would need to create a new account. Your email address is only used to allow you to reset your password. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Already a StudyStack user? Log In

Reset Password
Enter the associated with your account, and we'll email you a link to reset your password.
focusNode
Didn't know it?
click below
 
Knew it?
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
0:00
edit
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.

  Normal Size     Small Size show me how

Wave vocabulary

TermDefinition
Wave A disturbance caused by the mechanical motion of some particle of matter.
Medium Any form of matter whose particles transport the wave's energy.
Mechanical Waves Waves that move by the physical motion of particles and they require a medium.
Propagate Travel
Sound wave A mechanical wave that requires a medium to be able to move.
Electromagnetic Waves Involves both an electrical and magnetic component and does not require a medium to travel.
Vacuum An empty space
Transverse Wave Oscillates in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction it is traveling.
Longitudinal Wave Oscillates parallel to the direction it is traveling in.
Wavelength The distance between any two identical points on a wave.
Amplitude The height of the wave
Period The amount of time it takes for a wave to complete one full cycle
Frequency The number of waves that occur in a unit of time.
Hertz (Hz) Frequency is measured in Hertz. One cycle per second.
Reflection The bouncing of waves off of a surface.
Absorb When the wave bounces whatever doesn't reflect is absorbed by the surface.
Transmit When waves travel through matter.
Rays Waves as staright lines.
Law of Reflection The angle of reflection equals the angle of incident. The angle in which the light hits the surfacte equals the angle in which it bounces off of the surface.
Normal Line The angle of reflection for light that is perfectly perpendictular to the surface.
Incident ray Light ray that strikes the surface
Reflection ray Light ray that reflects off the surface.
Refraction The bending of a wave by the change in density of the medium.
Index of Refraction The amount the wave bends is determined by.
Angle of refraction The amount the wave is bent
Snell's Law The higher the index of refraction, the more the material will bend the incoming wave.
Thermal Inversion The refraction of sound occurs when the Earth is warmer than the air at it's surface.
Visible Light The light that humans can see with the naked eye.
Chlorophyll A pigment responsible for the green color of plants.
Diffraction The ability of a wave to bend around obstacles or through small openings.
Scattering Light is bent and spread out
Light Diffraction Occurs when a light wave encounters an obstacle with a regularly repeating pattern resulting in a diffraction pattern.
Interference When two waves coming from different directions meet and affect each other.
In Phase When one waves high point meets the high point of the other wave.
Constructive Interference The interaction of waves that are in phase.
Out of Phase When the low point of one wave meets the high point of the other wave and the way becomes still.
Destructive Interference The interaction of waves that are out of phase.
Distortion When waves meet in the middle of destructive and constructive and cause an irregualr pattern.
Sound Wave Mechanical wave produced by a vibrating object.
Compression waves Waves that result in the compression and expansion of molecules surronding the object.
Pitch How high or low a sound is.
Decibels Intensity or volume of the sound is measured in.
Doppler effect When a sound moves towards a listener the pitch seems to increase.
Electromagnetic spectrum Invisible and visible waves, ranging from very low to very high frequency.
Speed of light The amount of time it takes for light to reach the eye.
Radio Waves Invisible wavelengths of light that are used to send messages through the radio.
Microwaves Invisible wave lengths that cause thernmal energy to be generated.
Infrared Waves Waves that are given off of the human body and cause very minimal light.
Visible Light Waves The only part of the electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes can see. Very narrow band of light waves.
Roy G. Biv The order in which the colors are arranged.
Ultraviolet Waves Harmful waves produced by the sun. Tears apart cells in the human body.
X-rays Used to image in doctor's offices. Can be dangerous of cause radiation exposure.
Gamma Ray Waves Most energetic waves and are very dangerous.
Convex Lens Light waves refract into a vocal point. Makes an X.
Concave Lens Light waves refract and bend outwards. Helps us see far away.
Focal Point Where light rays are brought to a point.
Convex Mirror Light rays are reflected and spread out. Images appear smaller
Concave mirror Light rays reflect and come in to a point. Images can appear smaller or larger depending on circumstance.
Created by: emilyl927
Popular Physical Science sets

 

 



Voices

Use these flashcards to help memorize information. Look at the large card and try to recall what is on the other side. Then click the card to flip it. If you knew the answer, click the green Know box. Otherwise, click the red Don't know box.

When you've placed seven or more cards in the Don't know box, click "retry" to try those cards again.

If you've accidentally put the card in the wrong box, just click on the card to take it out of the box.

You can also use your keyboard to move the cards as follows:

If you are logged in to your account, this website will remember which cards you know and don't know so that they are in the same box the next time you log in.

When you need a break, try one of the other activities listed below the flashcards like Matching, Snowman, or Hungry Bug. Although it may feel like you're playing a game, your brain is still making more connections with the information to help you out.

To see how well you know the information, try the Quiz or Test activity.

Pass complete!
"Know" box contains:
Time elapsed:
Retries:
restart all cards