Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Wave Vocabulary
wave vocab words
20
Science
9th Grade
04/19/2012

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Standing Wave
Definition
A pattern of vibration that simulates a wave that is standing still
Term
Amplitude
Definition
the maximum distance that the particles of a wave's meduim vibrate from their rest positions
Term
Doppler Effect
Definition
an observed change in the frequency of a wave when the source or observer is moving
Term
Wave
Definition
a periodic disturbance in a solid, liquid, or gas as energy is transmitted through a medium
Term
Electromagnetic Wave
Definition
wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which radiate outward at the speed of light
Term
Mechanical wave
Definition
a wave that requires a medium through which to travel
Term
Transverse Wave
Definition
wave in which particles of the medium move perpendicularly to the direction the wave is travelling
Term
Medium
Definition
physical environment in which phenomena occur
Term
Crest
Definition
highest point of a wave
Term
Trough
Definition
lowest point of a wave
Term
Longitudinal Wave
Definition
Wave in which particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave motion
Term
Wavelength
Definition
distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave
Term
Period
Definition
time that it takes a complete cycle or wave oscillation to occur
Term
Frequency
Definition
the # of cycles or vibrations per unit of time
Term
Reflection
Definition
the bouncing back of a ray of light, sound, or heat when the ray hits a surface that it does not go through
Term
Diffraction
Definition
change in the direction of a wave when the wave finds an obstacle or an edge, such as an opening
Term
Refraction
Definition
bending of a wavefront as teh wavefront passes between two substances in which the speed of the wave differs
Term
Interference
Definition
the combination of two or more waves of the same frequency that results in a single wave
Term
Constructive Interference
Definition
any interference in which waves combine so that the resulting wave is bigger than the original waves
Term
Destructive Interference
Definition
any interference in which waves combine so that the resulting wave is smaller than the largest of the original waves
Supporting users have an ad free experience!