Question

define and illustrate (draw pictures) these terms: • compressional (longitudinal) wave • electromagnetic wave • frequency • wavelength • reflection • refraction • absorption

Explanation:

• Compressional (longitudinal) wave: A wave where particles move parallel to wave - motion. Illustration: In a slinky, when one end is pushed and pulled, the coils move back - and - forth parallel to the wave.
• Electromagnetic wave: A wave consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which can travel through a vacuum. Illustration: Light is an electromagnetic wave.
• Frequency: The number of complete waves (cycles) that pass a given point in a certain amount of time. Illustration: In a wave pattern, count the number of crests passing a point per second.
• Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive corresponding points (e.g., crest to crest) on a wave. Illustration: Measure the distance between two adjacent wave crests.
• Reflection: The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface. Illustration: Light reflecting off a mirror.
• Refraction: The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another at an angle. Illustration: A pencil appearing bent in water due to light refraction.
• Absorption: The transfer of a wave's energy to the medium it enters. Illustration: Black surfaces absorb more light energy than white surfaces.

Answer:

• Compressional (longitudinal) wave: Definition: A wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Illustration: A slinky being pushed and pulled to create a wave where the slinky coils move back - and - forth in the direction of the wave.
• Electromagnetic wave: Definition: A wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium. Illustration: The light from the sun is an electromagnetic wave.
• Frequency: Definition: The number of wave cycles that pass a fixed point in a given time interval, usually measured in hertz (Hz). Illustration: In a water wave, counting the number of wave crests that pass a stick in the water per second.
• Wavelength: Definition: The distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in - phase (e.g., two consecutive crests or troughs). Illustration: Measuring the distance between two adjacent peaks of a wave on a graph.
• Reflection: Definition: The change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Illustration: A ray of light hitting a mirror and bouncing back.
• Refraction: Definition: The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another, caused by a change in its speed. Illustration: A straw appearing bent when placed in a glass of water due to the refraction of light.
• Absorption: Definition: The process by which a substance takes in energy from a wave as the wave passes through it. Illustration: A dark - colored object absorbing more light energy than a light - colored object when exposed to sunlight.