Updated: 3/22/13 Sound and Light Energy Class Vocab List
Word / Def / PictureAbsorption / When an object collects the (light) energy and transforms it into heat. /
Amplitude / The height or strength of a wave, which determines volume. /
Color / Light property that depends on wavelength and frequency. /
Compression / When molecules are close together due to sound vibration /
Concave lens / Curved inward, spreads light out and forms smaller image that is right side up.
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Concave Mirror / Inwardly curved mirror that will make image appear larger if up close to it. Upside down if farther away. /
Convex lens / Curved outward, bends light inward to focal point, flips image upside down if beyond focal point. Magnifies image if up close. /
Convex Mirror / Outwardly curved mirror that will make image appear smaller /
Cornea / Outer layer of the eye that helps focus incoming light. /
Crest / Highest point in the wave (compression) /
Decibel / Unit of measurement for volume. /
Density / Object’s mass divided its volume (how close together the molecules are) /
Diffraction / Bending of light or sound waves around obstacles in its path. /
Doppler Effect / Occurs when source of wave is moving toward or away from observer or visa versa. Coming toward you, the frequency & pitch increases. Going away from you, the frequency and pitch decrease /
Ear / Organ that funnels sound waves into the inner ear where sound energy is transformed into kinetic energy then transformed into electrical energy /
Echo / Sound wave bounces off surface and returns to its source. /
Energy / Ability to do work or cause change
Focal point / Point where light rays converge into a single point. /
Frequency / Number of wave cycles that passes by a certain point in a period of time. /
Heat / Transfer of thermal energy, byproduct of all energy transformations.
Infrared / Electromagnetic energy from the sun /
Infrasonic / Type of sound wave that is below 20 Hz /
Intensity / Amount of energy transmitted /
Laser / Light amplification simulated emission radiation. /
Light / Waves of electromagnetic energy or radiation /
Light ray / Beam of light traveling in a straight line away from its source /
Light-year / Distance light travels in one earth year /
Longitudinal Waves / Waves of sound that go out in every direction that are caused by vibration of matter. /
Luminous / Referring to giving off light
Magnify / To make something appear larger usually with one or more lenses. /
Medium / Any solid, liquid, or gas (matter) that sound can travel through /
Opaque / An object that light cannot travel through /
Oscilloscope / Instrument used to visualize sound waves /
Pitch / The high or low sound that is made by changing the frequency of the wave. High frequency = high pitch, low frequency = low pitch. /
Polarization / Waves of light from electromagnetic spectrum are restricted to a certain direction of vibration. /
Prism / Triangular piece of glass that separates white light into the spectrum of colors /
Radiant energy / Energy that doesn’t need matter to travel. /
Rarefaction / Where (molecules) sound waves are spread apart. (trough of a sound wave) /
Reflection / To strike a surface and bounce back in opposite direction /
Refraction / When light is bent or changed when travelling through matter /
Reverberation / When sound waves reflect /
Sonar / Use of reflected sound to detect objects. /
Sound / A vibration that travels through materials (air, liquid, solid) that you sense with your hearing / See sound waves
Sound wave / Longitudinal energy waves that travel through matter / See longitudinal wave diagram
Speed of Light / 186,000 miles/second
300,000 Km/s
Speed of sound / Speed = distance divided by time. /
Translucent / Describes materials that allow some light to travel through. /
Transmit / Send energy from one place to another. Light or sound passes through an object. /
Transparent / Describes material through which light travels. /
Trough / Lowest point in the wave (rarefaction) / See rarefaction diagram
Ultrasonic / Type of sound wave that is over 20,000 Hz /
Ultraviolet / Part of the electromagnetic spectrum (from the sun) /
Vacuum / Empty space where no molecules are present. / I can’t hear you!!!
Vibration / Rapid movement of object back and forth causing sound. /
Vocal / Having to do with voice or speaking / See vocal chords
Vocal chord / Structure of larynx that vibrates as air goes past it. /
Volume / Loudness or softness of sound related to amplitude of the wave /
Wavelength / Distance between two similar points on a wave. / Amplitude or crest diagrams.