Science CFA WAVES light an sound

What is a wave?

A disturbance that moves energy from one place to another

What is a medium?

The material through which a wave moves (solid, liquid, or gas)

What is the crest of a wave?

The highest point of the wave

What is the trough of a wave?

The lowest point of the wave

What is the wavelength?

The distance from one crest to the next crest (or trough to trough)

What is amplitude?

The height of the wave above the center line

What is frequency?

The number of waves that pass a point each second

Do electromagnetic waves need a medium?

No, they do not require a medium and can travel through space

What is an electromagnetic wave?

A wave that transfers electric and magnetic energy at the speed of light

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The family of EM waves organized by frequency and wavelength

What are the 7 types of EM waves?

Radio, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, Gamma Rays

What is the saying to remember EM waves in order?

Real Martians Invade Venus Using X-ray Goggles

Which EM waves travel the fastest?

They all travel at the same speed (speed of light)

Which EM wave carries more energy: infrared, visible, or ultraviolet?

Ultraviolet

Which color of visible light has the longest wavelength?

Red

Which color of visible light has the shortest wavelength?

Violet

What is the order of visible light colors?

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet (ROYGBIV)

What are radio waves used for?

Radio/TV broadcasting, garage doors, radar

What are microwaves used for?

Heating food, cell phones, satellite communication

What are infrared waves used for?

Heat sensing, remote controls, thermal imaging

What is visible light?

The part of the EM spectrum humans can see (ROYGBIV)

What are ultraviolet rays used for?

Killing germs, sterilizing equipment, tanning; can cause sunburn and skin cancer

What are x-rays used for?

Medical imaging (bones, teeth), airport security

What are gamma rays used for?

Diagnosing and killing cancer cells; highest energy

What EM waves make up sunlight?

Infrared (heat), Visible Light (sight), Ultraviolet (sunburn)

What happens when light moves from one medium to another?

It can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed

What is reflection?

When light bounces off a surface

What is absorption of light?

When light is taken in by a medium and its energy is transferred

What is refraction?

When light bends as it changes speed moving between mediums

What colors are absorbed and reflected?

Black absorbs all colors, white reflects all colors

How does medium affect wave speed?

Light slows down in denser mediums; sound travels fastest in solids and slowest in gases