Physical Science

Waves- Sound
and Light
Sound Waves
What is sound?
◦ Vibrations that travel through a medium and can be heard when
they reach a person’s ear
Which state of matter does sound travel fastest through?
◦ Solid
How does temperature affect the speed of sound?
◦ Higher temperature = more energy = travels faster
Which type of wave does sound travel in?
◦ Longitudinal
How do you increase the loudness of a sound?
◦ Add more intensity or energy- intensity is measured in decibels
(dB)
How do you change the pitch of a sound?
◦ Higher frequency = higher pitch
Sound Waves- Continued
What is the Doppler Effect?
◦ An increase (decrease) in the frequency of sound,
light, or other waves as the source and observer
move toward (or away from) each other
What is an echo the result of?
◦ The reflection of sound
Interms of physics, why is it impossible to
hear spaceships zooming around in outer
space?
◦ There is no medium in outer space for the sound
to travel through
Light Waves
Which type of wave does light travel in?
◦ Electromagnetic waves
Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the most
energy?
◦ Gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio
List the colors in the visible spectrum from highest energy
to lowest energy.
◦ Violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red
Defineopaque, transparent, an translucent.
How do your eyes see color?
◦ When light hits an object – say, a banana – the object absorbs
some of the light and reflects the rest of it. Which wavelengths
are reflected or absorbed depends on the properties of the
object. For a ripe banana, wavelengths of about 570 to 580
nanometers bounce back. These are the wavelengths of yellow
light.
 Light Waves- Continued
What cause slight waves to refract?
◦ When waves pass from one medium to another; this is
due to difference in densities
Compare and contrast convex
and concave lenses.
Which type is the human eye?

 Draw an accurate
reflection of light.
Waves-General Information
What does a wave carry?
◦ Energy
Which waves require a medium?
◦ Mechanical
What is it called when a wave bounces back after hitting
a surface?
◦ Reflection (Echo)
What is it called when a wave bends around the edge of
an object?
◦ Diffraction
What is it called when a wave bends as it passes from
one medium to another?
◦ Refraction
Waves- General Information
How is wavelength related to frequency?
◦ Shorter wavelength = higher frequency
◦ Longer wavelength = lower frequency
Calculating the speed of sound
◦ Speed = wavelength x frequency
Draw and label a
transverse wave

Draw and label a

longitudinal wave
Waves- General Information
Discuss the two types of wave interference