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Physics

Key Terms

PhysicsKey Terms

Key Terms

antinode
location of maximum amplitude in standing waves
constructive interference
when two waves arrive at the same point exactly in phase; that is, the crests of the two waves are precisely aligned, as are the troughs
destructive interference
when two identical waves arrive at the same point exactly out of phase that is precisely aligned crest to trough
inversion
vertical flipping of a wave after reflection from a fixed end
longitudinal wave
wave in which the disturbance is parallel to the direction of propagation
mechanical wave
wave that requires a medium through which it can travel
medium
solid, liquid, or gas material through which a wave propagates
nodes
points where the string does not move; more generally, points where the wave disturbance is zero in a standing wave
periodic wave
wave that repeats the same oscillation for several cycles and is associated with simple harmonic motion
pulse wave
sudden disturbance with only one wave or a few waves generated
reflection
change in direction of a wave at a boundary or fixed end
refraction
bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another medium with a different density
standing wave
wave made by the superposition of two waves of the same amplitude and wavelength moving in opposite directions and which appears to vibrate in place
superposition
phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves arrive at the same point
transverse wave
wave in which the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction of propagation
wave
disturbance that moves from its source and carries energy
wave velocity
speed at which the disturbance moves; also called the propagation velocity or propagation speed
wavelength
distance between adjacent identical parts of a wave
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