| A | B |
|---|
| Wavelength | The distance between any two successive identical parts of a wave |
| Amplitude | The greatest distance particles move from their equilibrium position when a wave passes by |
| Frequency | The number of vibrations that occur in one second |
| Period | The time required for one full wavelength to pass by |
| Crest | The highest point of a transverse wave |
| Compression | Areas in a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together |
| Trough | The lowest point of a transverse wave |
| Rarefaction | Areas in a longitudinal wave where the particles are far apart |
| Transverse | A wave that causes vibrations perpendicular to the direction of wave travel |
| Longitudinal | A wave that causes the particles of the medium to vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel |
| Medium | The matter through which a wave travels |
| Mechanical Wave | A wave that requires a medium through which to travel |
| Electromagnetic Wave | The class of waves caused by a disturbance in electric and magnetic fields and does not require a medium (they CAN travel through the vacuum of space) |
| Tsunami | A huge ocean wave caused by earthquakes or undersea landslides |
| Reflection | The bouncing of a wave as it meets a barrier |
| Refraction | The bending of waves as they pass from one medium into another |
| Ultraviolet | High energy electromagnetic waves responsible for sunburns |
| Diffraction | The spreading out of a wave as it passes around a corner or through a hole |
| Interference | The combination of two or more waves that exist in the same place at the same time |
| Standing Wave | A wave form caused by interference that appears not to move and contains nodes and antinodes |
| Wave | A disturbance that transmits energy |
| Microwave | Electromagnetic wave with a wavelength of about one foot (30 cm), often used to cook food |
| X-ray | Very high energy electromagnetic waves that can show pictures of bones |
| Radio Wave | Long wavelength electromagnetic waves - emitted by computers and TVs |
