18WuD2x

wave normal • way station 745
a right angle to both the electric and magnetic
lines of flux in an electromagnetic wave.
wave number The reciprocal of wavelength. This
number denotes the number of waves per unit
distance.
wave packet A short pulse composed of waves.
wave packets Radiant energy resulting from a
number of wave trains of different wavelength.
wave path The line along which a WAVE TRAIN is
propagated.
wave polarization The direction (horizontal or vertical)
of wave undulations (i.e., the plane of the
undulations, with respect to the direction of
propagation). In general, a vertical antenna
radiates a vertically polarized wave, and a
horizontal antenna radiates a horizontally
polarized wave.
wave propagation The movement of waves
through space or through some medium. Electromagnetic
waves travel through space at the speed
of light (approximately 3 × 10 8 meters, or 186,000
miles, per second) and, like light, can be reflected
and refracted.
wave reflection The reflection of electromagnetic
waves by an obstruction, such as a solid body or
a layer of the ionosphere. Compare WAVE AB-
SORPTION, WAVE POLARIZATION, and WAVE
REFRACTION.
wave refraction Bending of the line of propagation
of electromagnetic waves as they pass through
various media, such as the troposphere or the
ionosphere. Compare WAVE ABSORPTION,
WAVE POLARIZATION, and WAVE REFLECTION.
waveshape The overall contour of a wave—especially
as revealed by a curve plotted for the particular
wave equation. Also see WAVEFORM.
waveshaping circuit A circuit that receives an input
signal having a certain waveshape, and delivers
an output signal having a different waveshape.
For example, a squaring circuit converts a sine
wave into a square wave at the same frequency.
wave surface See WAVE FRONT.
wave tail In a decaying pulse or signal envelope, the
interval between the beginning of the decay and
the point at which the amplitude reaches zero.
wave telegraphy See RADIOTELEGRAPHY.
wave telephony See RADIOTELEPHONY.
wave theory of matter A physical theory that the
charge of an electron is distributed in space,
rather than being focused at a point. Also see
WAVE MECHANICS.
wave tilt A slight forward tilt of the electric flux
lines in a radio wave radiated at the surface of the
earth by a vertical antenna.
wave train A series of identical electromagnetic
wave cycles propagated at equal intervals; an
electromagnetic energy burst lasting at least several
cycles.
wavetrap A resonant circuit consisting of an inductor
and capacitor, either or both of which can
be adjustable for tuning, used to remove (trap) a
Input
wavetrap
Output
signal at the resonant frequency from a signal
mixture.
wave trough The minimum value of a wave envelope.
Compare WAVE CREST.
wave velocity The distance per unit time traversed
by a wave passing through a given medium.
wave winding See DRUM WINDING.
wa-wa pedal A foot-operated device used with an
electronic musical instrument to produce a “wahwah”
sound fluctuation.
wax 1. Any of a series of organic materials having
important uses as dielectrics, impregnants, sealers,
and lubricants in electronics. They are usually
solid or semisolid, waterproof, and easily
melted. 2. In certain phonograph record discs, a
blend of wax (see 1, above) and metallic soaps.
Also see WAX MASTER, 2.
wax cake See WAX MASTER, 1, 2.
wax capacitor A fixed capacitor that has been
dipped in or impregnated with a wax, such as
halowax.
wax-dipped capacitor A fixed capacitor that has
been dipped in a wax for sealing against moisture.
waxed paper See WAX PAPER.
wax-filled capacitor A fixed capacitor impregnated
with a wax for enhancing the properties of its dielectric
(usually paper) and sealing the capacitor
unit.
wax master 1. In disc-recording operations, the
original recording made on a wax-surface disc.
2. To make an original recording on a waxsurface
disc.
wax original See WAX MASTER.
wax paper Wax-saturated paper used as a dielectric
film in fixed capacitors and as an insulator.
way-operated circuit A single or duplex circuit
shared by three or more party stations.
way point An important point selected on a radionavigational
course line.
way station A station consisting of a teletypewriter
connected at an intermediate point in a line (i.e.,
between, and in series with, other teletypewriter
stations).