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Physical Science - Chapter 20 - The Energy of Waves

AB
wavea disturbance that transmits energy through matter or space
mediuma substance through which a wave can travel
electromagnetic wavea wave that can travel through space or matter and consists of changing electric and magnetic fields
crestthe highest point of a transverse wave
perpendicularat right angles
transverse wavea wave in which the particles of the wave's medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling
troughthe lowest point of a transverse wave
compressiona region of higher density or pressure in a wave
longitudinal wavea wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth along the path that the wave travels
rarefactiona region of lower density or pressure in a wave
surface wavea wave that occurs at or near the boundary of two media and that is a combination of transverse and longitudinal waves
amplitudethe maximum distance a wave vibrates from its rest position
wavelengththe distance between one point on a wave and the corresponding point on an adjacent wave in a series of waves
frequencythe number of waves produced in a given amount of time
hertz(Hz) the unit used to express frequency; one hertz is one cycle per second
wave speedthe speed at which a wave travels
echoa reflected sound wave
reflectionthe bouncing back of a wave after it strikes a barrier or an object
interferencea wave interaction that occurs when two or more waves overlap
constructive interferenceinterference that results in a wave that has a greater amplitude than that of the individual wave
diffractionthe bending of waves around a barrier or through an opening
destructive interferenceinterference that results in a wave that has a smaller amplitude than that of the individual wave
resonancewhat occurs when an object vibrating at or near a resonant frequency of a second object causes the second object to vibrate
resonant frequenciesthe frequencies at which standing waves are made
refractionthe bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another
standing wavea wave that forms a stationary pattern in which portions of the wave do not move and other portions move with a large amplitude


Dean of Science/Medical Assisting Instructor
Queen's Grant High School/CPCC

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