| A | B |
|---|
| opaque | object does not let light waves pass through |
| translucent | light passes through but is scattered |
| transparent | describes an object that lets light waves pass through |
| reflection | light waves bounce back |
| refraction | light waves are bent as they change speed in a different medium |
| transmission | light waves pass through a medium |
| absorption | light waves are not reflected, refracted, or transmitted |
| black | absorbs all wavelengths of the visible spectrum |
| white | reflects all wavelengths of the visible spectrum |
| mechanical wave | requires a medium; transverse or longitudinal |
| electromagnetic wave | does not require a medium; transverse |
| frequency | number of waves per second |
| wavelength | distance from crest to crest |
| amplitude | height of a wave; determined by amount of force |
| crest | top of a wave |
| trough | bottom of a wave |
| rarefaction | longitudinal waves are spread apart |
| compression | longitudinal waves are close together |
| medium | matter through which a wave travels |
| vacuum | empy space |
| vibration | repeated up and down or back and forth motion |
