| A | B |
|---|
| mechanical waves | disturbance in a medium carrying energy from one place to another |
| medium | gas solid liquid |
| crest | the top of a wave |
| trough | the lowest point on a wave |
| transverse wave | direction perpendicular or right angle to medium |
| compression | an area where the particles on a wave are spaced closely together |
| rarefaction | area on a wave where particles are spaced furthest apart |
| longitudinal wave | vibration of the wave is parallel to the wave direction |
| surface wave | wave that travels along the surface and separates two mediums |
| periodic motion | motion repeating at regular intervals |
| frequency | number of wave cycles passing one point in a given time |
| hertz | how wave frequency is measured: two cyles per second or 2 _____ |
| wavelength | ditance between adjacent compressions for longitudinal and crest for transverse |
| speed of waves | wavelength times frequency |
| amplitude | maximum displacement (length) of a wave from crest to resting position |
| the more __________ a wave has the higher its amplitude | energy |
| period formula | = 1/ frequency |
| reflection | wave bounces off a wall it cannot get through Ex ball on wall |
| refraction | bending of a wave when it meets a medium |
| diffraction | bending of a wave because of narrow opening; wavelength larger than size of opening |
| constructive interference | two or more waves combine to produce a wave with increased amplitude |
| destructive interference | interference with a wave that decreases the amplitude of the wave |
| standing wave | wave that appears to be in one place only; intererenc e between a wave and its reflection |
| decibel | intensity of sound |
| pitch | frequency of wave as it is perceived by the ear |
| sonar | using sound waves under water to detect distance |
| Doppler effect | change in the sound frequency as sound approaches and leaves; high is closer-low is further away |
| middle ear | structure in the body that recieves and amplifies the vibrations |
