8th Grade Science Waves Flashcards

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3.) What is wavelength? Wavelength is the physical distance between a point on a wave and the same point on the next wave over.
4.) What is a crest? A crest is the top of a wave.
5.) What is amplitude? Amplitude is the distance from the rest position center of the wave to either the crest or the trough.
6.) What is a trough? A trough is the bottom of the wave.
7.) What is compression? A compression is the part of a longitudinal wave where the density of the medium is at its greatest; the “bunched up” areas.
8.) What is rarefaction? A rarefaction is the part of a longitudinal wave where the density of the medium is at its least; the “spaced out” areas.
9.) What does frequency measure? Frequency measures the number of waves that occur within one second.
11.) How does a particle (like the string on the slinky) move in a transverse wave? The particle moves perpendicular to the direction of energy movement.
12.) How does a particle (like the string on the slinky) move in a longitudinal wave? The particle moves parallel to the direction of energy movement.
13.) What moves or travels along a wave? Energy moves along the wave.
14.) How are wavelength and frequency related? Wavelength and frequency are inversely related: as the wavelength decreases, the frequency increases.
19.) Describe two examples of transverse waves. Ocean waves and visible light (or any other form of radiant energy)
20.) Describe two examples of longitudinal waves. Sound waves and earthquake shock waves.
21.) What is the electromagnetic spectrum? The set of all forms of radiant energy.
23.) What type of energy is the electromagnetic spectrum? The EM spectrum is all radiant energy.
24.) How fast does electromagnetic radiation travel? It all travels at the speed of light, around 300,000 km/s
26.) What types of electromagnetic radiation can humans detect? Humans can detect visible light through our eyes, and infrared radiation through our skin.
Name all the levels of electromagnetic spectrum in order Radio waves, microwaves, infared,visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays
27.) What types of electromagnetic radiation are harmful for humans? Why are they harmful? Ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays can all cause cell mutations and cell death. UV can cause sunburn, and cataracts in the eyes.
28.) Can electromagnetic radiation travel through outer space? Why or why not? EM radiation can travel hrough space because they are all transverse waves which do not require a medium.
29.) In what order do the colors of visible light refract when it travels through a prism? Why does it always refract in this order? Visible light refracts into red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet. The order is always the same because they appear in order by wavelength from longest to shortest.
30.) What type of electromagnetic radiation has the least energy? The most energy? Radio waves have the least energy, while gamma rays have the greatest.
31.) What type of electromagnetic radiation has the longest wavelength? The shortest wavelength? Radio waves have the longest wavelength, while gamma rays have the shortest.
32.) What type of electromagnetic radiation has the shortest frequency? The highest frequency? Radio waves have the lowest frequency, while gamma rays have the highest.