Name: _________________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________ Period: _____

Study Guide for Waves Test

Test Date: March 10, 2016

Make sure you know the following:

1. What is a wave?

A wave is a disturbance that ____________________ energy through matter or space.

2. Define medium.

A medium is a substance or __________________ which carries the wave. (Example: air or water)

3. Know the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves.

a. Transverse waves: are waves in which particles vibrate with an ________________________________

motion. They have crests and troughs.

i. Crest: ________________ point of a wave

ii. Trough: ________________ point of a wave

b. Longitudinal waves: are waves which vibrate ________________________________ or parallel to

wave travel. They have areas of compression and rarefaction.

i. Compression: particles of a wave are _______________ together.

ii. Rarefaction: particles of a wave are __________________________.

4. Be able to define and identify the features of a wave

a. Wavelength: the ______________________ between waves

b. Amplitude: the ____________________ of a wave

c. Frequency: the ________________ of waves that pass through a point in ____ second.

5. The Electromagnetic Spectrum

a. Be able to define electromagnetic energy

Electromagnetic energy is a form of energy that is emitted from objects in the form of

__________________ and _______________ waves that can travel through space.

b. RADIO WAVES have the ______________________ wavelength (Low frequency)

c. GAMMA RAYS have the ______________________ wavelength (High frequency)

d. Be able to list an example for each electromagnetic wave on the spectrum. (Use your chart

for examples.

6. Be able to describe mechanical waves:

Mechanical waves require a ______________________________ to travel and transfer energy.

7. Be able to describe terms related to LIGHT WAVES.

a. Light waves can travel through empty space and a medium.

b. Reflection is when light bounces back in the ________________ direction it came from.

c. Refraction is when light _____________.

d. Scattering occurs when light is sent in _______________ directions as it passes through a

medium.

e. Translucent when an object can be seen but __________________________.

f. Transparent when an object can be seen _________________; all light passes through.

g. Opaque is when object _______________ allow light to pass through; light is absorbed or

reflected.

h. Absorption is the ___________________ of light energy to matter.