Radience

Waves

Science

amplitude

the energy in a wave
Watch amplitude Simple Definition

compression

part of a wave where particles are pushed together
Watch compression Simple Definition

diffraction

the bending of waves when they pass around a barrier or through an opening
Watch diffraction Simple Definition

frequency

the number of cycles or vibrations per second, measured in hertz (Hz)
Watch frequency Simple Definition

interference

occurs when two waves meet and combine to form a new wave
Watch interference Simple Definition

law of reflection

states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
Watch law of reflection Simple Definition

longitudinal wave

a wave whose particles vibrate parallel to the direction in which the wave travels
Watch longitudinal wave Simple Definition

mechanical wave

a wave that needs matter to travel, like sound waves and ocean waves
Watch mechanical wave Simple Definition

medium

the substance through which a wave can travel, like air, which carries sound waves
Watch medium Simple Definition

rarefaction

the least dense region of a longitudinal wave
Watch rarefaction Simple Definition

reflection

the bouncing of light, sound, or heat waves off a surface
Watch reflection Simple Definition

refraction

the bending of light when it passes from one substance into another
Watch refraction Simple Definition

resonance

an increase in the vibration amplitude of an object, caused by another object vibrating at the same frequency
Watch resonance Simple Definition

standing wave

a wave that seems stationary, it forms when two waves of equal wavelength and amplitude cancel each other out
Watch standing wave Simple Definition

transverse wave

a wave that moves particles of matter at right angles to its direction of travel
Watch transverse wave Simple Definition

trough

the lowest part on a transverse wave
Watch trough Simple Definition

wave

a repeating disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space
Watch wave Simple Definition

wave crest

the highest point of a transverse wave
Watch wave crest Simple Definition

wavelength

the distance between the crests of two adjacent waves
Watch wavelength Simple Definition

Related Chapters