Waves Unit Test Study Guide – Flashcards
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Mechanical Waves
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Can travel in any type of medium Mechanical = Medium
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Wavelength
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The distance between a point on one wave and the identical point on the next wave
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More energy in a wave
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The greater its amplitude
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The speed of light
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Depends on the medium it travels through because light travels fastest in empty space and slower through matter
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Refraction
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Occurs when a wave changes DIRECTION because its SPEED changes
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Which type of wave can travel through empty space?
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Electromagnetic wave because electromagnetic waves travel through empty space and matter
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People tint windows dark to encourage ___
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Absorption because tinted windows absorb more visible light than clear windows
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What media can sound NOT travel through?
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Empty space because sound waves can only travel through matter
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If a sound is low pitched and loud, the sound wave is ______
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Low frequency, high amplitude because pitch = how high or low something sounds and amplitude = how loud or soft the volume is
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If light waves change speed when they pass from one medium into another, the light will be ______
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Refracted because refraction is the bending of a wave as it changes speed while moving from one medium to another
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Hertz
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Unit of measurement for wave frequency
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Pitch
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Perception of how high or low a sound is and is related to the frequency
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Reflection
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The bouncing of a wave off a surface
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Refraction
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The change in direction of a wave as it changes speed when moving from one medium to another
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Infrared Waves
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Electromagnetic waves with a wavelength shorter than a microwave
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Amplitude
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Maximum distance a wave varies from its rest position
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Electromagnetic Wave
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Transverse wave that can travel through empty space
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Iris
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Colored muscle that controls the amount of light allowed in the eye
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Inner Ear
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Changes sound waves to electrical signals
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Outer Ear
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Catches sound waves
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Describe and opaque object, a translucent object, and a transparent object.
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Opaque does NOT let light pass through. Translucent allows MOST light through. Transparent allows ALMOST ALL light through.
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Describe how sound is produced by a trumpet.
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Your lips vibrate against the trumpet causing an air collumn to vibrate and produce sound.
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How does temperature affect the speed of sound?
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In a gas, as temperature increases, sound speed increases. In liquids and solids, temperature has the opposite effect.
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How are reflection and echoes related?
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The bouncing of a wave off a surface is called reflection. Echo is reflected sound.
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Explain why light from a flashlight does not damage your skin.
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Electromagnetic waves from a flashlight do not have enough energy to damage your skin like waves from the sun.
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Give two examples of medical uses of ultraviolet waves.
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Dentist use ultraviolet light to harden adhesives. Medical facilities use ultraviolet light to kill germs.
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When you turn down the radio, what are you actually lowering?
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You are decreasing the sound's energy and amplitude.
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What wavelength of light is reflected from a yellow shirt?
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A yellow shirt is reflecting the color yellow and absorbs all others.
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What happens to the wavelength of a wave as the frequency increases?
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The wavelength decreases.
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Why do movie theaters use sound proofing?
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To reduce echoes. Sound proofing materials are designed to absorb the sound.
