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Sound and Light
Chapter 14 - Sound and Light
Term | Definition |
---|---|
sound | a form of energy that travels in waves through solids, liquids and gases. |
compression | the part of a wave where the particles are bunched together |
transverse wave | a wave in which the particles move at a right angle to the direction that the wave travels, much like a jump rope that has been flicked |
longitudinal wave | a wave in which the particles move parallel to the direction the wave travels, much like a slinky that has been pulled and released |
frequency | the number of times a wave makes a complete cycle in one second |
wavelength | the distance between a point on a wave and a similar point on the next wave |
echo | when a sound wave travels and hits a hard, smooth surface, the wave reflects or bounces back |
pitch | what makes a sound seem high or low |
high pitch | high frequency sounds with short wavelengths have this kind of pitch |
low pitch | low frequency sounds with long wavelengths have this kind of pitch |
vibrations | motions that cause sound waves |
electromagnetic spectrum | the range of all light waves, including visible light and all other forms of light waves |
visible light frequencies | red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet |
reflection | occurs when light rays bounce from a surface back to our eyes |
absorption | occurs when an object takes in a light wave |
transparent | material that lets light rays pass through completely |
translucent | material that lets some light rays pass through but scatters others |
opaque | material that does not let any light rays pass through |
refraction | bending of a light wave caused by the change of speed that occurs when the wave passes from one medium into another |
convex lens | a lens that is thicker in the middle than at the edges and makes things appear larger |
concave lens | a lens that is thinner in the middle than at the edges and makes things appear smaller |