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Energy Waves
Electromagnetic and Mechanical Wave Vocabulay
21
Science
8th Grade
10/23/2013

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Term
wave Speed
Definition
A measurement of how fast a wave travels through a medium. Measured by measuring the distance a given point on the wave travels in a certain amount of time. S=d/t
Term
reflection
Definition
Describes a change in the direction of a wave that results when it "bounces" of a barrier.
Term
refraction
Definition
Describes a change in the direction of a wave as it travels from one medium to another. Results in a reduction of the speed of a wave as well.
Term
diffraction
Definition
Describes a change in the direction of a wave as they mass through an opening or a barrier.
Term
wave interference
Definition
A phenomenon that occurs when two waves meet while traveling in the same medium.
Term
constructive interference
Definition
A type of interference that occurs when two waves are traveling in the same direction and have the same displacement.
Term
destructive interference
Definition
A type of interference that occurs when two waves are traveling in opposite directions and have the same displacement.
Term
displacement
Definition
The act of an object moving, or being moved, from its original position.
Term
mechanical wave
Definition
A type of wave that transfers energy through a medium in a parallel motion. Also called a compression wave.
Term
electromagnetic wave
Definition
A type of wave that transfers energy without a medium in a perpendicular motion. Also called a transverse wave.
Term
wave
Definition
A disturbance that transfers energy from one location to another as it travels through a medium.
Term
frequency
Definition
How often the particles of a medium vibrate when a wave passes through the medium.
Term
crest
Definition
The point on a wave from rest to the maximum positive displacement of a transverse wave.
Term
medium
Definition
The physical environment that a disturbance is moving through.
Term
hertz
Definition
The unit of measurement for frequency (Hz). 1 Hz = 1 vibration/second
Term
amplification
Definition
An increse in the amplitude of a mechanical wave.
Term
trough
Definition
The point on a wave from rest to the maximum negative displacement of a transverse wave.
Term
compression
Definition
The point in a medium where a longitudinal wave is traveling at it's maximum density.
Term
rarefaction
Definition
The point in a medium where a longitudinal wave is traveling at it's least dense.
Term
wavelength
Definition
The measurement of one wave cycle, measured as the distance from crest to crest, or from trough to trough.
Term
amplitude
Definition
The measurement of displacement a particle experiences in a medium, measured from rest to crest or trough.
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