Waves Vocabulary
1.
rarefaction
the area where particles are farthest apart (the opposite of compression)
2.
compression
the area where particles are closest together
3.
pitch
how high or low a sound is, determined by the frequency of sound waves
4.
volume
How loud or quiet a sound is, determined by the amplitude of sound waves
5.
amplitude
the height of the wave from its resting point to its peak (or crest), or from its resting point to its trough
6.
frequency
the number of wave cycles (or crests/troughs) that pass a certain point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz)
7.
reflection
The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface
8.
refraction
The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another
9.
diffraction
The bending of waves around obstacles or through openings