WGU C451/GNC2/1NC1 Integrated Natural Sciences Module 3 Solved 100%

Define wave. - ANSWER-A disturbance that travels through space and time accompanied by the transfer of energy. It is a vibration, a vibration is a wiggle, and a wiggle that travels is called a wave. Waves carry energy from one place to another. Explain the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave, and give examples of each. - ANSWER-- Transverse Waves- Waves that move up and down, vibrations perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. Types: Light/electromagnetic, (radio, microwave, x-ray, etc.) water waves, s-waves (earthquakes) Ex) Slinky attached to a wall and move your hand up and down. - Longitudinal wave- Waves that move back and forth, vibrations in the same direction that the wave travels parallel with the wave motion (compressions and rarefactions) Types: Sound, p-waves (earthquakes) Ex) Slinky attached to a wall and being moved left or right. Primary seismic waves wavelength - ANSWER-property of a wave that is the distance between identical points in-between 2 successive waves. The distance between one crest (or trough) of one wave & the next is considered its wavelength. frequency - ANSWER-(often measured in hertz (Hz) the number of to & fro vibrations made in a given time (usually 1 sec). Measures how many waves pass by per unit of time. amplitude - ANSWER-is also the same thing as height. It is a measurement of a wave from the center, or equilibrium point to the highest point (top of peak). In astronomy it tells you about the intensity of something. reflection - ANSWER-the returning of a wave to the medium from which it came when it hits a barrier. The angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence. (Also: Light does not change frequency upon reflection & reflection of sound is called an echo.) The law of reflection holds true for all angles. refraction - ANSWER-Is the bending of waves due to a change in a medium. Unless a wave strikes a surface perpendicularly, refraction occurs. Bending is caused by a change of speed. (Example: slowing down going from air to water bends towards normal; speeds up going from water to air and bends away from normal.) diffraction - ANSWER-any bending of light by means other than reflection and refraction; it is a property of all kinds of waves, including sound & light waves Interference - ANSWER-the process in which two or more light, sound, or electromagnetic waves of the same frequency combine to reinforce or cancel each other, the amplitude of the resulting wave being equal to the sum of the amplitudes of the combining waves CONSTRUCTIVE - ANSWER-when two identical waves overlap each other at the crest. Result is wave with increased amplitude. (Example: in a concert hall, hearing two speakers & getting a "loud spot") DESTRUCTIVE - ANSWER-when crest of 1 wave and trough of another wave overlap - effect is reduced. High part fills in low part & they cancel each other out. (Example: noise cancelling headphones) What happens when the wavelength changes in light - ANSWER-Shorter Wavelength = High Frequency Longer Wavelength = Lower Frequency What happens when the wavelength changes in sound - ANSWER-The pitch changes Shorter Wavelength = High Frequency Longer Wavelength = Lower Frequency What happens when the frequency changes in light - ANSWER-Frequency increases = Energy Increases Frequency Decreases = Energy Decreases What happens when the frequency changes - ANSWER-Higher Frequency = Higher Pitch Lower Frequency = Lower Pitch What happens when the amplitude changes in light - ANSWER-Increase Amplitude = Increase Brightness Decrease Amplitude = Decrease Brightness What happens when the amplitude changes - ANSWER-Increase Amplitude = Increase volume Decrease Amplitude = Decrease Volume Is light transverse or longitudinal - ANSWER-Transverse Is sound transverse or longitudinal - ANSWER-Longitudinal Media that light can travel through - ANSWER-Needs no medium can travel through anything Media that can travel through - ANSWER-Air Liquids Solids (Does not travel through gasses very well) Examples of reflection of light - ANSWER-Encounters a barrier and bounces back. The angle it hits the surface will be the same angle when it bounces back. Ex) Putting a straw in a glass of water the reflection of light bends (causing the straw to look bent it changed the speed of light from switching from air to water).