Test Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Science/4th Grade
Waves Unit Study Guide
*Remember to bring back your study guide signed by a parent or guardian on the day of the
test for bonus points.







Waves carry energy
Waves travel in all directions
Sound waves travel most rapidly through a solid
Seismic – are earthquake waves
Echolocation – method of locating objects by determining the time for an echo to return
and the direction from which it returns. Bats use this type of wave location to navigate
as they fly.
Rarefactions- The less dense area of a longitudinal wave
Mechanical Waves – A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium through which to
transmit energy.








Electromagnetic waves – waves that travel through space where there is not matter
Amplitude – The height of a Wave
Atmosphere – Radio waves bounce off of the atmosphere and back to the earth.
Sonar- Is a type of sound wave used to find objects under water
Wavelength – The distance from the top of one wave (its peak) to the top of another
wave
Frequency- number of wavelengths pass a point
Transverse waves- the energy from this wave causes the matter in the medium to move
up and down
Compressional waves- the energy from this wave causes the matter to move forward
and backward
Label the parts of a Wave: