Sound & Waves
True or False: Mechanical waves can travel through empty space.
False (Mechanical waves cannot travel through empty space; electromagnetic waves can)
True or False: Light waves are electromagnetic waves.
True
Which seismic wave type moves particles perpendicular to the direction the wave travels? (P wave or S wave?)
S wave (transverse).
What is the name for the highest point on a transverse wave?
Crest
What type of wave are sound waves?
Longitudinal
What part of the eye controls the amount of light that enters?
Iris (controls pupil size)
Which seismic wave type generally travels faster, P waves or S waves?
P waves travel faster than S waves.
What do we call the region of a longitudinal wave where particles are farthest apart?
Rarefaction.
What part of the ear collects sound waves?
outer ear
What term describes an object that produces its own light?
Luminous.
Name one typical speed range (m/s) for S waves from the table.
Example: S waves typically 1,000 to 8,000 m/s.
Define wavelength in one sentence.
Wavelength is the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave (for example crest-to-crest).
Explain in one sentence how water waves move small floating objects.
Water waves move objects primarily up and down; particles make small circular motions as the wave passes.
Which electromagnetic waves can cause sunburn?
Ultraviolet waves.
Describe what surface waves do differently compared to P and S waves (one sentence).
Surface waves combine longitudinal and transverse motion and often cause larger ground motion near Earth's surface.
Define frequency in one sentence and include how it relates to wavelength.
Frequency is the number of wavelengths that pass a point each second; frequency and wavelength are inversely related (longer wavelength → lower frequency).
Compare amplitude and energy: what does a smaller amplitude tell you about a wave's energy?
Smaller amplitude means the wave carries less energy.
Describe why X-rays can be used to image bones (one or two sentences).
X-rays pass through soft tissues but are absorbed/blocked more by dense structures like bone, producing contrast in images
Given a wave that has a longer wavelength, what can you say about its frequency? Answer in one sentence.
The longer the wavelength, the lower the frequency.
Complete the statement: Waves refract toward the normal if they ____ when entering a medium, and they refract ____ the normal if they speed up. (two blanks)
"slow down" ; "away from" — Full: Waves refract toward the normal if they slow down when entering a medium, and away from the normal if they speed up.