Light Waves

The transport of energy without the transport of matter.

A substance that allows waves to move. Ex: air or water

Waves that require a medium. These waves travel when molecules in the medium collide with each other passing on energy.

Waves where the disturbance moves perpendicular to the flow of energy. (You can think of the wave moving left to right, while the disturbance moves up and down.)

Waves where the particles of the medium vibrate in a parallel direction with the energy that is being transported. Ex: Sound

The distance from crest to crest, or between any two adjacent corresponding points.

The lowest part (bottom) of the wave. The point of maximum downward displacement from the rest position.

The highest point (top) of the wave. The point of maximum upward displacement from the rest position.

How often a wave occurs or the number of waves that pass a point in a given amount of time.

The maximum height or distance moved by a point on a wave from its equilibrium (rest) position. Ex: Rest to crest

A chart that shows the range of wavelengths or frequencies that include all electromagnetic radiation. Includes Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-ray, and Gamma Ray.

Individual types of radiation that move in transverse waves that can move through the vacuum of space.

The wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum that most human eyes can see. The colors of light from lowest to highest frequency is Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.

A form of light which is not visible to the human eye. It's in an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths shorter than violet visible light.

A form of light which is not visible to the human eye. Its radiant energy, electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light, extending from the red edge of the visible spectrum.