Waves – Space Answers – Flashcards
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Wave
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A rhythmic disturbance that carries ENERGY through matter or space
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Mechanical Waves
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Can only travel through matter Travels through as energy which is transferred from particle to particle in a medium EX: Water waves and Sound waves
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Electromagnetic Waves
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Waves do not require matter to carry energy. They can travel through a medium, but they can also travel through outer space or through a vacuum where no matter exists. EX: Microwaves, Infracted, Visible light, UV rays, and X-rays
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Transverse Waves
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The wave energy causes the matter in the medium to move up and down or back in forth at right angles to the direction the waves travel.
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Compressional Waves
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Matter in the medium moves forward and backward in the same direction that waves travel. Also known as longitude waves.
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Amplitude
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For a wave or vibration, the maximum displacement on either side of the equilibrium (midpoint) position.
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Wave Length
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The distance from any point on a wave to an identical point on the next wave
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Frequency
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How many wave peaks pass a certain point per given time
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Wave Speed
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The speed at which a wave travels through a medium
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Crest
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Highest point of a wave
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Trough
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Lowest point of a wave
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Compression
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the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are close together
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Rarefaction
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a part in a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread apart
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Reflection
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A transformation that "flips" a figure over a mirror or reflection line.
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Refraction
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The bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another
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Diffraction
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Occurs when an object causes a wave to change direction and bend around it Spreading-out effect of light when it passes through a small slit opening.
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Constructive Interference
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The interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude
