Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

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

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

Mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through.

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

An electromagnetic wave does not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.

Front

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Back

Approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s).

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs in a wave.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

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

Front

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Back

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; as one increases, the other decreases.

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Front

What is reflection?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface.