Test File

About Waves

Name: Grant Trexler
Period: 5

What do you know?

Energy What do you know? Examples and Ideas What do you want to
know?

Waves are disturbances The energy is travelling Nothing.
that transfer energy not through the ripples moving a Nothing.
matter from one place to boat and a slinky when you
another move it back and forth.

Some waves transfer Ocean waves forming and
energy through a medium breaking.

Some waves transfer Light waves, radio waves, Nothing.
energy without a medium microwaves

Energy moves through Matter in a wave like motion

Explain how energy moves through matter (this is also known as a medium)?

Waves are vibrations that transfer energy from place to place without matter. Some waves
must travel through a medium that can be solid, liquid, or gas. It is the medium that vibrates
as the waves or energy travels through. For example, heat is a form of energy when it comes
in contact it makes particles bump into each other and energy runs through the matter.

What causes energy to move through matter/medium in a wave like motion?

Waves are caused by vibrations, particles bumping each other.

WHAT IS A MEDIUM?

WHAT IS A MEDIUM WAVES TRAVEL Give some examples of a medium
THROUGH? that energy travels through

A medium is a material that waves travel Solid: Rope, the earth, slinky
through. Mechanical waves must have a Liquid: ocean
medium to travel through. It can be a Gas: air
solid, liquid, or gas. A rope or water are
examples of a medium.

One type of wave energy goes through is called
a Mechanical Wave

Describe what a mechanical wave is?

Mechanical waves cause oscillations of particles in a solid, liquid, or gas and
must have a medium to travel through. They are waves that transfer energy
through matter.

What does a mechanical wave require?

A mechanical wave requires a medium to travel through.

What are some examples of a mechanical wave?

Ocean waves ,seismic waves, waves in a rope

One type of wave energy goes through is called
an Electromagnetic (EM) Wave

Describe what an EM wave is?
Electromagnetic (EM) waves cause oscillations in electrical and magnetic fields.
They are waves that can transfer energy through empty space.
Does an EM wave require a medium?
An EM wave does not need a medium.
What are some examples of a EM wave? (hint: there are only 7)
Radio, Microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x ray, gamma rays.

2 TYPES OF WAVES ARE:
Mechanical Vs Electromagnetic (EM)

What is the difference between the 2 types of waves?
List at least 3 differences, bullet list or make a chart.

1. Mechanical waves need mediums to run through and EM waves do not.
2. Mechanical waves can be both longitudinal or transverse and EM waves are all transverse.
3. In empty space all EM waves travel at the same speed - the speed of light. The speed of

mechanical waves changes depending on the properties of the medium.

Mechanical Need Medium longitudinal transverse
EM yes yes yes
no no yes

2 WAVE MOVEMENTS ARE:
Transverse Vs Longitudinal

TRANSVERSE LONGITUDINAL

(Compressional)

Definition/Explain: A wave in which the Definition/Explain: A wave in which the
particles of the medium move up and down at particles of the medium move back and forth
right angles to the direction of the wave in the direction of the wave motion (parallel to
motion. the wave motion).

Picture with parts labeled Picture with parts labeled

Crest

Trough

Define & label the Parts of a transverse Wave

Crest Trough Amplitude Wavelength

The highest point of The trough is the The Amplitude is the The wavelength is
distance from rest to the distance from
a transverse wave is lowest point of the crest or the height of crest to crest or
a transverse wave. trough to trough of a
called a crest. transverse wave. transverse wave.

Wavelength Crest

Amplitude

Trough

Define & label the Parts of a Longitudinal/Compressional Wave

Compression Rarefaction Amplitude Wavelength

Compression is the part Rarefaction is the part The Amplitude is The wavelength is
of the medium where the of the medium where the distance from the distance covered
particles are close the particles are far rest to crest or by a full cycle of the
together. apart. the maximum wave.
displacement of a
point of a wave
from its rest
position.

Wavelength
1

2 Compression 3 Rarefaction

Frequency

Explain what Frequency is.
Include High Frequency and Low Frequency.
Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second.
High Frequency: A high number of waves that pass at a certain point in one
second. The higher the frequency the more energy is being transferred.
Low Frequency: A low numbers of waves that pass at a certain point in one
second.

WAVE OVERVIEW
Waves transfer ____energy______________
NOT __________matter__________.

Resources to Use

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgf97p3/revision/1
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16UzzW9Zs7HIZDsYDWmTVvehmuYPLGD7I9FqTCYdfix4/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1inUBikpzGBoK1hHD0pP5YL5C96iaLCc2t_ku_2Mmlws/edit?usp=sharing
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9bw6yc/revision/1
www.generationgenius.com/?share=B8FA4
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B4RgRBwVilP_Crhk12Q-nfnBcPGa4zYpYtdVDU96rOM
http://epiphanyschoolmn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/6th-Sound-and-Light-U1L12-WAVES-notes.pdf
https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html
https://quizlet.com/23318826/6th-grade-science-waves-flash-cards/
https://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/waves/