NAME __________ANSWER
KEY________________________
HOUR_____
Waves, Sound & Light Energy Study Guide
Goal 1:
1. Draw a transverse wave below. Label a crest, trough, wavelength and amplitude.
2. Which type of wave is the picture below? _____longitudinal
wave_____________________________
3. Label a wavelength in the picture below.
rarefaction
wavelength
compression
4. What are compressions? Label compressions on the picture above.
The area of a longitudinal wave where the particles of matter are closest
together.
5. What are rarefactions? Label rarefactions on the picture above.
The area of a longitudinal wave where the particles of matter are the
farthest apart.
6. Fill in the table below with the correct type of waves.
Transverse or
Longitudinal?
Light or Sound?
Longitudinal
Sound
Transverse
Light
7. Which type of wave requires matter to travel? ____longitudinal
waves/sound waves_____________
8. Which type of wave can travel through empty space and matter? ____transverse
waves/light waves___
Goal 2:
9. Define medium. Give an example.
The matter that sound waves travel through
10. How is sound energy transferred?
Sound energy is transferred through waves, spreading away from the source (or
disturbance), through particle-to-particle interaction.
Goal 3:
11. Define frequency.
The number of wavelengths that pass by a certain point in a second; determines
pitch
12. Define amplitude.
The height of a wave; determines loudness
13. Draw a wave that shows loud and quiet sounds. Label loud and quiet on your wave.
Louder sound
Quieter sound
14. Draw a wave that shows high pitch and low pitch. Label the high pitch and low pitch on your wave.
Higher pitch
Lower pitch
15. The longer the wavelength, the ___lower__________________________ the pitch.
16. The shorter the wavelength, the ____higher________________________ the pitch.
17. The taller the amplitude, the ____louder________________________ the sound.
18. The shorter the amplitude, the ______quieter______________________ the sound.
19. The longer the wavelength, the ______lower______________________ the frequency.
20. The shorter the wavelength, the ______higher_____________________ the frequency.
21. The higher the frequency, the ______higher_______________________ the pitch.
22. The lower the frequency, the _______lower_____________________ the pitch.
23. Unit for frequency: ______Hertz______________________ (__Hz_____)
24. Unit for loudness: ______Decibels_______________________ (_dB______)
Goal 4:
25. Which does sound travel the fastest through: solid, liquid or gas? WHY?
Sound travels the fastest through a solid BECAUSE the particles are closer
together for the ripple effect to happen the fastest.
26. Which does light travel the fastest through: solid, liquid or gas? WHY?
Light travels the fastest through a gas (actually empty space) BECAUSE there are
less particles to slow down the light wave.
Goal 5:
27. What are electromagnetic waves?
A wave that can travel through empty space and matter.
28. Label each type of radiation on the Electromagnetic Spectrum in the correct order according to wavelength on the
picture below.
Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared Waves, Visible Light, Ultraviolet Waves, X-Rays, Gamma
Rays
29. Which type of wave has the highest frequency, the highest energy and the shortest wavelength? Gamma
30. Which type of wave has the lowest frequency, the lowest energy and the longest wavelength? Radio
31. Which type of wave causes sun burns? __ultraviolet
waves
waves________
32. Which types of waves are used for communication? __radio
waves___ & ___microwaves___
33. Which type of wave is given off from all vibrating molecules in all matter? ____infrared
waves____
34. Which type of wave can pass through most materials besides calcium and metals? __X-rays_______
Rays
35. Which type of wave is produced when the nucleus of an atom is changed? ___Gamma
36. Which is the only type of wave that we can see? __Visible
Rays___
light____________________________
37. Which three types of waves are emitted from the sun?
a. _____visible
light__________________________________
b. _____ultraviolet
c. _____infrared
waves__________________________________
waves__________________________________
38. List the order of colors on the visible light spectrum from lowest frequency to highest frequency.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, (indigo), violet
Goal 6:
39. What are 4 sources of visible light?
40. When is an object “seen”?
The sun, a light bulb, a fire/flame, a fire fly
When an object emits light or reflects light to our eyes.
41. What is luminous? Give an example.
An object that emits light; the sun, a flash light
42. What is illuminated? Give an example.
An object that reflects light; the moon, a mirror
Goal 7:
43. Explain the difference between a regular reflection and a diffused reflection.
Regular reflection – light waves bounce off a surface at the same angle
Diffused reflection – light waves bounce off a surface at different angles
44. Which types of surfaces have a regular reflection? diffused reflection?
Regular reflection – smooth & shiny surfaces (a mirror/aluminum foil)
Diffused reflection – rough & dull surfaces (a t-shirt, a brick)
Goal 8:
45. What is refraction? Why does it occur?
The bending of light as it passes from one substance to another. It is caused by
the differences in density between the two substances.
46. Give two examples of refraction.
- A pencil appearing disconnected or broken when you see it through glass,
water, and in the open air.
- An object appearing small (or bigger) through a lens.
Goal 9:
47. Define transparent. Give an example. How does light behave when light hits a transparent object?
A material that allows almost all the light to pass through and forms a clear
image.
48. Define translucent. Give an example. How does light behave when light hits a translucent object?
A material that allows most light to pass through and forms a blurry image.
49. Define opaque. Give an example. How does light behave when light hits an opaque object?
A material that light cannot pass through.
50. What does it mean when light is absorbed (absorption)? The
transfer of light energy to particles
of matter
51. What does it mean when light is transmitted (transmission)? The
52. What does it mean when light is reflected? Light
Goal 10:
53. Why do we see the color blue?
passing of light through matter
bouncing off a surface
White light hits an object and all the wavelengths of color are absorbed besides
blue which is reflected.
54. Why does a white t-shirt appear white?
White light hits a t-shirt and all of the wavelengths of color are reflected
55. Explain how we see something that is black.
White lights hits a black object and all of the wavelengths are absorbed into the
object.
56. Label each part of the eye: cornea, pupil, iris, lens, retina, optic nerve.
Optic nerve
lens
cornea
pupil
iris
Retina
57. What does each part of the eye do or what is it used for?
Optic nerve – carries
visual messages
from the retina to the brain
clear part of the eye that focuses
light to form a clear image
Lens –
Pupil – hole
Retina – light
sensitive tissue lining the
back of the eye
in the center of the eye
where light passes through
circular band of muscles that
control the size of the pupil ; colored
part of eye
Iris –
Cornea – clear
outer covering of the eye
58. What is a photovoltaic cell? What are examples?
Creates electricity when EM radiation hits it. Used in solar panels.
59. What is a photo-resistor? What are examples?
Uses a semiconductor to sense changes in light; examples: night light, cameras,
and street lamps (sense when to turn on)