Parts of a Wave
The distance between two similar points on a wave, including crest to crest and trough to trough.
Wavelength
A wave that causes the medium to vibrate at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels
Transverse wave
The interaction of two or more waves that combine in a region of overlap
Interference
Unit of measurement for frequency (cycles per second)
Hertz (hz)
The height of the crest and depth of the trough.
Amplitude
A wave in which the vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels; AKA compression waves
Longitudinal waves
The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass.
Reflection
Describes how fast the wave is traveling (frequency x wavelength)
Wave velocity
The material a wave travels through
A wave that needs a medium to be able to travel
Mechanical Wave
The bending of a wave as it enters a new medium at an angle
Refraction
A reflected sound wave
Echo
Rarefraction
A wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which radiate outward at the speed of light; can travel without a medium or matter.
Electromagnetic wave
When a wave passes through a boundary from one material into another and continues travelling.
Transmission
The time interval between the passage of successive crests at a stationary point; equal to 1 divided by frequency
Wave period
The number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time
Wave Frequency
A single vibration or short burst of a wave.
Pulse
The bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening
Diffraction
The full range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves
Electromagnetic spectrum