Unit 5 Waves And Light Flashcards
(48 cards)
Medium
A medium is the material through which a wave travels.
Wave
A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another.
Longitudinal wave
In a longitudinal wave, particles move back and fourth in the same direction that the wave travels, or parallel to the wave.
Transverse wave
In a transverse wave , particles move perpendicularly to the direction the wave travels
Mechanical waves
Mechanical waves are waves that require a medium.
Electromagnetic waves
Electromagnetic waves are disturbances in electric and magnetic fields.
Amplitude
A waves amplitude is a measure of how far particles in the medium move away from their normal rest position.
Wavelength
Wavelength is the distance over which the waves shape repeats.
Wave period
Wave period is the time required for one cycle.
Frequency
Frequency tells you how many cycles occur in an amount of time, most commonly 1 s.
Hertz
One hertz is equal to one cycle per second.
Wavefronts
The peaks of spread out waves are called wavefronts.
Wave speed
Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels.
Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of energy as EM waves.
Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum
The range of wavelengths that a EM wave can have is a electromagnetic (EM) spectrum.
Infrared
Infrared light has slightly longer wavelengths than red light.
Ultraviolet
Has slightly shorter wavelengths than violet light.
Transparent
Matter that transmits light.
Translucent
Transmit light without letting it run straight through.
Opaque
Don’t let any light pass through them.
Absorption
The transfer of light energy to matter.
Reflection
Bouncing of light off a surface.
Refraction
The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to an other.
Scattering
Light is sent in many directions as it passes through a medium.
