Wave
A disturbance that transfers energy from place to place
Mechanical Wave
A wave that requires a medium through which to travel
Medium
Material through which a wave travels
Electromagnetic Radiation
The energy transferred through space by electromagnetic waves.
Transverse Wave
a wave that causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels
Amplitude
the maximum distance the particles of a medium move away from their rest positions as a longitudinal wave passes through the medium
Longitudinal Wave
A wave that moves the medium in a direction parallel to the direction in which the wave travels.
Wavelength
The distance between two corresponding parts of a wave
Frequency
the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time
Reflection
The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass.
Refraction
the bending of a wave as it enters a new medium at an angle
Diffraction
The bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening
Absorption
the transfer of energy from a wave to a material that it encounters
Intereference
the interaction between waves that meet
Standing Wave
a wave that appears to stand in one place, even though it is really two waves interfering as they pass through each other
Resonance
The increase in the amplitude of a vibration that occurs when external vibrations match an object's natural frequency.
Loudness
the perception of the energy of a sound.
Intensity
the amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the wave's amplitude
Decibel
a unit that compares the intensities of different sounds
Pitch
the highness or lowness of a sound
Doppler Effect
The change in frequency of a wave as its source moves in relation to an observer
Electromagnetic Wave
a wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which radiate outward at the speed of light
Electromagenetic Spectrum
the complete range of electromagnetic waves placed in order of increasing frequency
Radio Waves
Electromagnetic waves with the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies
Microwaves
Electromagnetic waves that have shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies than radio waves.
Visible Light
Electromagnetic radiation that can be seen with the unaided eye
Ultraviolet Rays
Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths shorter than visible light, but longer than x-rays
Infrared Rays
Electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies than microwaves.
X-Rays
electromagnetic waves with wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet rays, but longer than gamma rays
Gamma Rays
Electromagnetic waves with the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies
Transparent
A material that allows light to pass through without scattering light.
Translucent
Allowing light to pass through
Opaque
A type of material that reflects or absorbs all of the light that strikes it.
Diffuse Reflection
Reflection that occurs when parallel rays of light hit a rough surface and all reflect at different angles
Convex
A mirror with a surface that curves outward or lens that is thicker in the center than at the edges.
Focal Point
the point at which rays parallel to the optical axis reflect and meet
Concave
a mirror with a surface that curves inward or a lens that is thinner at the center than the edges.