Physical Science 4th Quarter
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15 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 wave | a disturbance that transmits energy through matter or space |
| medium | a substance through which a wave travels |
| mechanical wave | a wave that REQUIRES A MEDIUM which to travel |
| electromagnetic wave | a wave that DOES NOT REQUIRE A MEDIUM through which to travel |
| wave length | distance between two successive identical parts of a wave |
| amplitude | the height of a transverse wave; proportional to the energy of the wave |
| transverse wave | a wave in which the medium moves perpendicular to the direction the wave travels....... all electromagnetic waves; some seismic waves; "the wave" |
| longitudinal | a wave in which the medium moves parallel to the direction the wave moves..... sound, some seismic waves |
| compression | part of a longitudinal wave where the medium is PACKED TOGETHER |
| rarefaction | part of a longitudinal wave where the medium is spread apart |
| surface wave (water wave) | causes the medium to move in a circular pattern...happens at the surface between two media |
| period | the amount of time for one complete wave to pass by a point |
| frequency | # of waves that pass by a poing in one second |
| reflection | the bouncing of a wave as it makes a surface between two media |
| refraction | the bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another at an angle ofther 90 degrees |
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