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Waves
Vocabulary for Chpt 20 - Waves
14
Science
7th Grade
01/04/2012

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Term
amplitude
Definition
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 a crest and trough.
Term
compressional wave
Definition
A type of mechanical wave in which matter in the medium moves forward and backward in the same direction the wave travels.
Also known as a longitudinal wave.
Term
diffraction
Definition
Bending of waves around a barrier.
Term
frequency
Definition
number of wavelengths that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Term
interference
Definition
ability of two or more waves to combine and form a new wave when they overlap
Term
mechanical wave
Definition
a type of wave that uses matter to transfer energy
Term
medium
Definition
material through which a wave can travel
Term
longitudinal wave
Definition
A type of mechanical wave in which matter in the medium moves forward and backward in the same direction the wave travels.
Also known as a compressional wave.
Term
refraction
Definition
bending of a wave as it moves from one medium into another medium
Term
rarefaction
Definition
Area of a compressional (longitudinal) wave where the molecules are spread out (opposite of compression).
Term
transverse wave
Definition
A type of mechanical wave in which the wave energy causes matter in the medium to move up and down or back and forth at right angles (perpindicular) to the direction the wave travels.
Term
trough
Definition
Lowest point on a transferse wave.
Term
wavelength
Definition
In transverse waves, the distance between the tops of two adjacent crests or the bottoms of two adjacent troughs.
In a compressional (longitudinal) wave, the distance from the centers of adjacent areas of compression.
Term
electromagnetic wave
Definition
Waves that can travel through empty space, have a wide range of wavelengths and frequencies, and are produced by moving charged particles.
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