Properties
•This type of wave is a transverse wave that does not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.
•Electromagnetic wave
•Mechanical waves like sound require this to travel.
•A medium
•Which form of electromagnetic radiation is visible to humans?
•Visible light
•What do you perceive when sound waves reach your ear?
•Hearing
•Give one piece of evidence showing sound cannot travel through a vacuum.
•Bell jar experiment
•A common measurable property that describes how many wave cycles pass a point per second.
•Frequency
•When light moves from air into water and bends, this change in direction is called what?
•Refraction
•Give one real-world use for ultrasonic mechanical waves.
•Ultrasound imaging
•Give one example each of reflection, absorption, and transmission.
•Mirror, black surface, clear glass
•Give one observation supporting light behaving as a wave.
•Double-slit interference
•The height of a wave from its resting position to a crest; this relates to wave energy.
•Amplitude
•Sound travels faster in solids than in gases. Why?
•Particles are closer together
•Give an example of infrared energy transfer.
•Heat from fire or TV remote
•Describe diffraction and give an example.
•Bending/spreading of waves
•Why does light travel through space while sound cannot?
•Sound needs matter; light does not
•Name the relationship that connects wave speed, frequency, and wavelength. Provide the formula.
•v = fλ
•Electromagnetic waves are oscillations of what two interacting fields?
•Electric and magnetic fields
•Name two factors engineers can change to increase radio wave range.
•Power, antenna design
•Explain constructive and destructive interference.
•Waves add or cancel
•Describe an investigation comparing sound and light behavior.
•Measure transmission
•Explain one major physical difference between how electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves are generated.
•Electromagnetic waves come from charged particles; mechanical from vibrating matter
•How does the presence or absence of a medium affect sound versus light wave travel?
•Sound needs a medium; light does not
•Compare how energy is transferred in sound waves and light waves.
•Sound moves particles; light moves energy through fields
•Can sound waves and light waves be polarized? Explain.
•Light yes; sound no
•Write a claim with evidence explaining sound vs light in a vacuum.
•Claim, evidence, reasoning