| A | B |
|---|
| resonance | constructive interference that occurs when an external vibration has the same frequency as one of the natural frequencies of the object. |
| natural frequency | the frequency an object will naturally vibrate |
| transverse wave | a wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of motion of the wave |
| crest | the highest point of a transverse wave above the equilibrium position |
| trough | the lowest point of a transverse wave below the equilibrium position |
| longitudinal wave | a wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the motion of the wave |
| compressions | regions in a longitudinal wave where the density of particles of the medium is greater than when the medium is at equilibrium |
| rarefactions | regions in a longitudinal wave where the density of particles of the medium is less than when the medium is at equilibrium |
| wavelength | the distance between any two repeating points on a periodic wave |
| intensity | the power transmitted by a wave across a unit area perpendicular to the direction of area flow |
| interference | the interaction of two waves that pass through the same region of space at the same time |
| principle of superposition | when two waves pass through a medium at the same time, the resultant displacement of the medium at any particular moment of time equals the algebraic sum of the displacements of the component waves at that point |
| destructive interference | occurs if the amplitude of the resultant of the two interfering waves is smaller than the displacement of either wave |
| constructive interference | occurs if the amplitude of the resultant of the two interfering waves is larger than the displacement of either wave |
| diffraction | the ability of waves to bend around obstacles. |
| reflection | when a wave bounces back in a straight line |
| refraction | when a wave changes angle when going through a different medium |
| medium | material that carries the energy of a wave |
| mechanical wave | requires a medium to travel |
| electromagnetic wave | does not require a medium, and is made of oscillating electric and magnetic fields |
