Science waves Flashcards
Wave
A regular pattern of motion created by a vibratory disturbance
Medium
A substance (gas, liquid or solid) thought which a wave travels
wavelength
The length of one wave
Amplitude
the height of a wave
period
the time it takes for a wave to complete one wave cycle
frequency
the number of times a wave cycles in one second
Mechanical Waves
waves produced by a mechanical movement or vibrating object
electromagnetic Waves
waves created by oscillation of electric and magnetic fields
transverse waves
waves that move perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the wave (up and down)
Longitudinal waves
waves that move in the same direction as the movement of the wave (left to right)
Surface waves
a combination of a longitudinal and transverse wave (circular motion)
Refraction
the bending of wave as it travels through different medium
reflection
when a wave bounces off a surface
Diffraction
the bending or spreading of a wave around an obstacle after it moves through a small space
Interference
when two waves come into contact with each other
