| A | B |
|---|
| amplitude | distance a wave rises above or falls below its normal level, which is related to the energy that the wave carries; in a transverse wave, is one-half the distance between crest and a trough. |
| electromagnetic wave | waves that can travel through empty space, have a wide range of wavelengths and frequencies, and are produced by moving charged particles. |
| frequency | number of waves that pass a given point in a given time measured in hertz. |
| refraction | bending of light waves |
| transverse wave | wave in which matter vibrates at right angles in which the wave travels |
| wavelength | distance between crest to crest or trough to trough |
| wave | rhythmic movement that carries energy through matter or space. |
| mechanical wave | a type of wave that uses matter to transfer energy. |
| compressional wave | a type of mechanical wave in which matter in the medium moves forward and backward in the same direction the wave travels. |
| reflection | occurs when a wave strikes an object or surface and bounces off. |
| diffraction | bending of waves around a barrier. |
| interference | ability of two or more waves to combine and form a new wave when they overlap. |
