Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Physics

Key Terms

PhysicsKey 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
Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute Texas Education Agency (TEA). The original material is available at: https://www.texasgateway.org/book/tea-physics . Changes were made to the original material, including updates to art, structure, and other content updates.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jan 19, 2024 Texas Education Agency (TEA). The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.