Sound and Light Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts in sound and light, including parts of the eye and ear, properties of sound waves, light interactions, and basic physics concepts.

Retina

Part of the eye that converts light into electrical impulses.

Iris

Controls the amount of light entering the eye.

Pupil

The hole through which light passes into the eye.

Convex Lens

Lens that focuses light to create a clear image.

Cornea

Focuses light to create a clear image.

Sclera

The outer protective layer of the eye.

Optic Nerve

Sends visual messages to the brain.

Cataract

Condition where the lens of the eye grows old and opaque.

Nearsightedness Correction

Use a concave lens to slow down the rate of focus.

Farsightedness Correction

Use a convex lens to speed up the rate of focus.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that detect bright and dim light.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that detect color.

Color Perception

Determined by the color of light reflected by an object.

Sound Wave Medium

Sound waves must have a medium (matter) to compress and move.

Transverse Wave

A wave where particle motion is perpendicular to wave direction (characterized by crest, trough, amplitude, frequency, wavelength).

Longitudinal Wave

A wave where particle motion is parallel to wave direction (characterized by compression and rarefaction).

Frequency Increase Effect

Higher frequency in a sound wave results in a change in pitch (higher).

Amplitude Increase Effect

Higher amplitude in a sound wave results in a change in volume (louder).

Reflection

Wave interaction where a wave bounces back after hitting a barrier.

Refraction

Bending of light as it speeds up or slows down due to a change in medium.

Diffraction

Spreading out of a wave around a barrier.

Constructive Interference

Occurs when waves meet and increase amplitude.

Destructive Interference

Occurs when waves meet and decrease amplitude.

Primary Colors of Light

Red, green, and blue.

Convex Lens Function

Light converges when passing through a convex lens.

Concave Lens Function

Light diverges when passing through a concave lens.

Doppler Effect

Apparent change in pitch due to the motion of the sound source or listener.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Organizes light by frequency (or wavelength).

Gamma Rays

Part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is most harmful due to highest energy.

Visible Spectrum Colors

Colors differ in frequency; red has lowest frequency and violet has highest.

Cochlea

Part of the ear that changes vibrations into electrical impulses.

Auricle

Directs sound into the ear.

Tympanic Membrane

Changes medium from air to matter as sound enters.

Timbre

Unique sound quality created by combination of fundamental tone with overtones.

Constructive Interference vs Destructive Interference

Constructive increases amplitude; destructive decreases amplitude.

Resonance in Musical Instruments

Helps to make sound louder and last longer.

Speed Calculation

Speed is calculated as distance divided by time.

Lever Advantage

Move the fulcrum closer to the heavy object to increase advantage.

Heat Transfer

Heat always moves from hot to cold.

Subatomic Particles Charge and Mass Ranking

1. Neutron (neutral), 2. Proton (+), 3. Electron (-).

Periodic Table Information

Family: chemical properties and valence electrons; period: number of energy levels.

Experiment Parts Identification

Independent variable: what you are testing; dependent variable: what happens; constants: things that stay the same; control: comparison tool.