Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

The two main types of waves are mechanical waves (which require a medium, like sound waves) and electromagnetic waves (which do not require a medium, like light waves).

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from its rest position, which relates to the loudness of sound.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest or trough to trough.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What is frequency?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

How does the medium affect wave speed?

Back

The speed of a wave depends on the medium it travels through; waves generally travel faster in denser media.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is reflection in terms of waves?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier or a different medium.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another due to a change in speed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is diffraction?

Back

Diffraction is the spreading out of waves when they pass through a narrow opening or around obstacles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is absorption in wave interactions?

Back

Absorption is the process by which a wave's energy is taken in by the medium, reducing the wave's intensity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2