| A | B |
|---|
| Waves | Rhythmic disturbances that carry energy through matter or space. |
| Transverse wave | Medium moves at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction that the wave energy travels; does NOT have to have a medium (looks like the letter "s"). |
| Crest | Highest point on a transverse wave. |
| Trough | Lowest point on a transverse wave. |
| Wavelength | Length of one completed cycle on a wave (distance between any 2 identical points on adjacent waves).. |
| Amplitude of a transverse wave | Distance from crest (or trough) to the rest position of the medium. |
| Frequency | Number of waves that pass one place each second. |
| Longitudinal wave | Medium oscillates (vibrates) in the same direction as the wave energy; MUST have a medium (looks like a slinky).. |
| Reflection | Occurs when a wave strikes an object and bounces off. |
| Amplitude of a longitudinal wave | Amount of compression; greater compression equals greater amplitude. |
| Compressional wave | Another name for a longitudinal wave. |
| Medium | A material through which a wave travels and transfers energy; can be any state of matter. |
| Sound | An example of a longitudinal wave; travels at 344 m/s near Earth's surface. |
| Light | An example of a transverse wave; travels at 300,000,000 m/s. |
| Compression | The more dense (squished) area of a longitudinal wave |
| Rarefaction | Expanded, less dense area of a longitudinal wave. |
| Refraction | Occurs when a wave crosses a boundary and actually passes through the new obstacle (medium); "bending" of wave due to change in speed. |
| Diffraction | Occurs when a wave bends around an obstacle OR passes through small opening in the obstacle. |
| Absorption | When the wave energy disappears within the body of a material. |
| Constructive interference | When 2 waves meet and combine their energies to make a bigger wave |
| Destructive interference | When 2 waves meet and subtract their energies to make a smaller wave |
| Natural frequency | Frequency at which a system (like a guitar string) begins to vibrate when disturbed. |
| Resonance | Occurs when an oscillating force exactly equals the natural frequency or a multiple of it. |
