Mechanical Wave Interactions

Front

Mechanical Wave Noun

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[muh-kan-i-kuhl wayv]

Back

Mechanical Wave

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A disturbance in matter that transfers energy through a medium such as a solid, liquid, or gas.

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Example: The image shows a mechanical wave with labeled parts like compression and rarefaction, explaining energy transfer through a medium.

Front

Reflection Noun

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[ri-flek-shuhn]

Back

Reflection

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The bouncing back of a wave after it strikes a surface or boundary that it cannot pass through.

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Example: A light ray hits a mirror and bounces back, showing reflection.

Front

Absorption Noun

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[ab-sorp-shuhn]

Back

Absorption

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The process by which a wave's energy is transferred to the particles of the medium it is traveling through.

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Example: A wave hits a surface, and some energy is absorbed, shown by arrows.

Front

Transmission Noun

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[tranz-mish-uhn]

Back

Transmission

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The passage of a wave through a medium, allowing the wave's energy to continue traveling forward.

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Example: Sound waves travel through air, compressing and rarefying air molecules, showing wave transmission.

Front

Diffraction Noun

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[dih-frak-shuhn]

Back

Diffraction

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The bending and spreading out of a wave as it passes around an obstacle or through an opening.

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Example: Waves bend and spread out as they pass through a narrow slit, showing diffraction.

Front

Medium Noun

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[mee-dee-uhm]

Back

Medium

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The substance or material, such as a solid, liquid, or gas, through which a wave can travel.

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Example: Sound waves travel through air, compressing and rarefying air molecules, demonstrating a medium for wave travel.

Front

Amplitude Noun

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[am-pli-tood]

Back

Amplitude

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The maximum distance the particles of a medium move from their rest position as a wave passes through.

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Example: The image shows amplitude as the height from the rest position to the wave crest, illustrating wave motion.

Front

Wavelength Noun

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[wayv-length]

Back

Wavelength

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The distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave, such as from one crest to the next.

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Example: The image shows the distance between two crests, illustrating wavelength.

Front

Frequency Noun

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[free-kwuhn-see]

Back

Frequency

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The number of complete waves or cycles that pass a specific point in a given amount of time.

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Example: A wave diagram showing crests and troughs helps explain frequency by illustrating wave cycles.

Front

Echo Noun

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[ek-oh]

Back

Echo

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A sound wave that has been reflected off a surface and is heard again after the original sound.

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Example: Sound waves hit a surface and reflect back, creating an echo.