Waves in General
What are waves?
Disturbances that transfer energy not matter
What is a crest?
the highest part of a transverse wave
What is a reflection?
The bouncing back of a wave when it meets a surface or boundary
What is the equation for wave speed?
Wave speed = Frequency times Wavelength
What is the acronym for the colors of visible light?
ROY G BIV
What are mechanical waves?
The type of waves that must travel through matter to transfer energy.
What is a wavelength?
Distance between crests, troughs or any matching point on a wave
What is refraction?
the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another
What is the unit of measurement for wavelength?
Meters (m)
Which electromagnetic wave has the longest wavelength?
Radio waves
What are electromagnetic waves?
Waves that do not require a medium to transfer energy.
What is frequency?
the number of waves that pass a given point in one second
What is diffraction.
The bending of waves as they move around a edge or pass through an opening
What is the unit of measurement for Wave Speed?
Meters per Second (m/s)
Which electromagnetic wave has the most energy?
Gamma rays
What is a medium?
The matter through which a wave travels
What is a trough?
the lowest point of a transverse wave
What is constructive interference?
The interference that occurs when waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude
What is the unit of measurement for frequency?
Hertz (Hz)
What line is perpendicular to a surface?
Normal line
What is a rarefaction?
The parts of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread out.
What is Amplitude?
the height of a wave measured from equilibrium to crest or trough
what is destructive interference?
this type of interference happens when waves combine to make a wave with a smaller amplitude
What is the equation for wavelength?
Wavelength = Wave Speed divided by Frequency
What does the law of reflection state?
The angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence