Transverse Waves
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 vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels
Wavelength
Horizontal distance between the crests or between the troughs of two adjacent waves
Amplitude
Height of a wave
Mechanical Wave
A wave that requires a medium through which to travel
Electromagnetic Wave
A wave that can move through the vacuum of space.
Reflection
The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface
Refraction
The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another
Diffraction
The bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening
Constructive Interference
The interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude
Destructive Interference
The interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with a smaller amplitude
Doppler Effect
An observed change in the frequency of a wave when the source or observer is moving
Which medium does sound travel fastest through?
Solids
This affects the loudness of a sound wave
Amplitude
This affects the pitch of a sound wave
Frequency
Mediums
Materials that waves transfer through. Can be a solid, liquid, or gas.
Frequency
the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time