Question | Answer |
wave | any disturbance that transmits energy through matter or empty space |
medium | a medium is a substance through which a wave can travel |
mechanical waves | waves that require a medium |
electromagnetic waves | waves that can transfer energy without a medium |
transverse wave | a wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicularly to the direction the wave is traveling |
longitudinal wave | a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave motion |
crest | highest point of transverse wave |
trough | lowest point of transverse wave |
compression | part of longitudinal wave where the particles are close together |
rarefaction | part of the longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart |
surface wave | a wave that forms from the combination of a transverse and longitudinal wave |
amplitude | the maximum distance that the particles of a wave's medium vibrate from their rest position |
wavelength | the distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave |
frequency | the number of waves in a given amount of time |
wave speed | the speed at which a wave travels through a medium |
reflection | when a wave bounces back after hitting a barrier |
refraction | the bending of a wave as the wave passes from one medium to another |
diffraction | the bending of a wave around a barrier or through an opening |
interference | the combination of two or more waves that results in a single wave |
constructive interference | combination of two waves that leads to greater amplitude |
destructive interference | combination of waves that leads to reduced amplitude |
standing wave | a pattern of vibration that simulates a wave that is standing still |
resonance | when two objects naturally vibrate at the same frequency; the sound produced by one object causes the other object to vibrate |