Chapter 16 Waves

Rhythmic disturbances that carry energy without carrying matter are called

• waves

• sound

• light

_______________________ waves use matter to transfer energy

• mechanical

• electromagnetic

Wave energy causes matter in the medium to move up and down or back and forth at right angles to the wave.

• Compressional

• Transverse

• Electromagnetic

Matter in the medium moves forward and backward in the same direction as the wave.

• Electromagnetic

• Transverse

• Compressional

compressional waves caused by colliding air molecules

• light waves

• sound waves

• amplitude

distance from the top of one crest to the top of another crest

• amplitude

• wavelength

• frequency

number of wavelengths passing a given point per second

• amplitude

• wavelength

• frequency

how fast a wave travels though a medium

• wave speed

• amplitude

• frequency

when a wave strikes an object or surface and bounces off

• reflection

• refraction

• diffraction

when a wave bends and changes speed as it moves from one medium to another

• diffraction

• reflection

• refraction