Energy, Waves, and Electromagnetic Spectrum Review for Physics

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it transfers and transforms.

How do string lights transform energy?

They use electrical energy to produce light energy, which then becomes thermal energy released as infrared radiation.

What are the three ways thermal energy transfers?

Conduction, convection, and radiation.

What characteristic of a wave describes how tall the wave is?

Amplitude.

What characteristic of a wave describes the number of waves that pass a certain point in 1 second?

Frequency.

What characteristic of a wave describes the size of each wave?

Amplitude.

What characteristic of a wave describes the strength or intensity of the wave?

Amplitude.

What characteristic of a wave describes how long the wave is?

Wavelength.

What characteristic of waves will increase when the wavelength decreases?

Frequency.

What characteristics of waves will increase when energy is increased?

Amplitude and frequency.

What characteristic of waves will decrease when energy is increased?

Wavelength.

What describes waves that move perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling?

Transverse waves.

What types of waves do not require a medium to travel?

Electromagnetic waves.

What types of waves require a medium to travel?

Sound waves.

What are the types of waves on the electromagnetic spectrum?

Gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, infrared, microwaves, radio waves.

What describes waves that move parallel to the direction the wave is traveling?

Longitudinal waves.

What is the only type of electromagnetic wave that we can see?

Visible light.

What are radio waves used for?

Listening, sending information through satellites, WiFi, and television broadcasts.

What are microwaves commonly used for?

Heating up water molecules in microwave ovens.

What can excessive exposure to X-rays lead to?

An increase in cancer risk.

What can ultraviolet waves cause?

Sunburns and can be used to sterilize medical equipment.

What do infrared rays do?

They are absorbed by objects, causing their particles to move and heat up.

What are gamma rays known for?

Being the most dangerous due to high energy and frequency, and can be used to destroy cancer cells.