Wave Vocab Flashcards
Frequency
The number of cycles a wave completes in a period of time
Period
The time needed for one complete cycle of vibration to pass in a given point.
Wavelength
The distance between one peak and the next on a wave
Crest
The highest point of a wave
Trough
The lowest point of a wave
Medium
Is the part of the medium frequency radio band used mainly for AM radio broadcasts.
Amplitude
Height or strength of a wave
Longitudinal wave
A wave that vibrates in the same direction as it travels
Electromagnetic spectrum
The range wavelengths or frequencies with electromagnetic radiation extends
Transverse wave
A wave vibrating at right angles to the direction of its propagation
Compressional wave
A longitudinal wave propagated by the elastic compression of the medium
Rarefaction
A rarefaction is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are further apart
Reflection
the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that wavefront returns into the medium
Refraction
The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by the change in speed
Diffraction
Diffraction occurs when a wave encounters a obstacle or a slit
