Light and Sound and Waves Vocab

Amplitude

The distance from equilibrium of a wave to the crest or the trough.

Crest

The highest point of a wave.

Wavelength

The distance between identical points on adjacent waves.

Frequency

The number of sound crests that pass through a distance in one second.

Diffraction

The bending of waves around a barrier.

Interference

The ability for two or more waves to combine and form a new wave.

Pitch

The highness or lowness of a sound which is dependent upon the frequency of sound waves.

Doppler Effect

An increase or decrease in wave frequency which is caused by motion of either the source or the motion of the observer.

Resonance

The ability of an object to vibrate at the same frequency as another vibrating source.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The entire range of electromagnetic radiation which is classified by their wavelengths. Begins with radio waves and ends with gamma rays.

Conduction

The transfer of energy from one source to another.

Radiation

The transfer of energy in the form of waves that does not require matter.

Convection

The movement of energy through a moving liquid or gas.

Mechanical Mixing

Artificially combining two or more waves with one or more waves.

Decibel Scale

Scale that measures the intensity of a sound.