Mechanical Waves
What type of wave has compressions and rarefactions?
A longitudinal / compression wave
Which electromagnetic waves have the highest energy?
Gamma rays
What is reflection?
Reflection is when a wave bounces off of a surface
What type of wave does a call phone use to send signals?
Radio waves (electromagnetic waves)
What type of electromagnetic wave allows you to see colors?
Visible light
In a transverse wave, particles move in which direction compared to energy transfer?
Perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer / at a right angle / up and down
Do electromagnetic waves require a medium?
No! They can travel through space
What happens to energy when a wave is absorbed?
The energy is taken in by the material, often turning into heat
Are radio waves high or low frequency?
Why does sunscreen protect your skin?
It absorbs or reflects ultraviolet radiation (UV Rays), preventing it from damaging skin cells
How does increasing the amplitude affect energy?
Increasing amplitude increases the energy of the wave. More amplitude, more energy
What happens to wavelength as frequency increases?
Wavelength decreases as frequency increases. Short wavelength = higher frequency. Long wavelength = low frequency
Why does a black shirt feel hotter in sunlight than a white shirt?
A black shirt absorbs more light energy and turns it into heat, where as a white shirt reflects the light energy
How does energy change form when you listen to music on the radio?
Electromagnetic energy is converted into sound energy
How does GPS use electromagnetic waves?
GPS uses high-frequency microwave signals transmitted from satellites to receivers on Earth
Why does loud music cause windows to vibrate?
Loud music has greater amplitude, which means more energy is transferred to the window and causes it to vibrate
Why are gamma rays more dangerous than radio waves?
Gamma rays have much higher frequency and energy, which can damage cells
Why does a mirror reflect more light than a cloth?
A mirror has a smooth surface that reflects light, where as cloth absorbs light energy
Why can satellites use radio waves but not sound waves?
Radio waves can travel through space can travel through space, but sound waves require a medium
Is the ozone layer becomes thinner, what could happen and why?
More ultraviolet radiation (UV Rays) would reach Earth, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin damage because UV waves have higher energy
Explain why matter does not travel across the room when sound waves move
Sound waves transfer energy, not matter, through vibrations of particles. The particles then return to their original positions, so matter does not travel across the room
If a wave has very short wavelength and high frequency, what can you assume about its energy?
It has a very high energy
If radio waves were absorbed instead of transmitted, how would that affect communication?
Communication would not work because the signal would not reach its destination
Why are radio waves ideal for long-distance communication?
They have low frequency, long wavelength, are safe, and can travel through space without a medium
Cell phone signals are often weaker inside elevators or underground parking garages. Using the words transmission, absorption, and energy, explain why this happens.
Cell phone signals become weaker because the radio waves are absorbed or blocked by metal and concrete, which reduces transmission of the energy. If the waves cannot be transmitted effectively, the signal cannot reach the phone clearly.