Game Smartz

Waves

Science

Waves Chapter Video

Waves Chapter Video

amplitude

the energy in a wave
amplitude Simple Definition

compression

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

diffraction

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

frequency

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

interference

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

law of reflection

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

longitudinal wave

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

mechanical wave

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

medium

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

rarefaction

the least dense region of a longitudinal wave
rarefaction Simple Definition

reflection

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

refraction

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

resonance

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

standing wave

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

transverse wave

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

trough

the lowest part on a transverse wave
trough Simple Definition

wave

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

wave crest

the highest point of a transverse wave
wave crest Simple Definition

wavelength

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

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