Waves S8P4 Overview

S8P4a. Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic and mechanical waves. Electromagnetic Waves- can travel through a medium or through a vacuum (empty space). Examples: light, radio waves, infrared, microwaves Mechanical Waves- HAVE to have a medium to transfer energy Example: sound

Sound in a vacuum: http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/5to14/resources/science/sound/belljar.asp

Reflection: bouncing back of a wave S8P4b Describe how the behavior of light waves is manipulated causing reflection, refraction, diffraction and absorption. Reflection: bouncing back of a wave Refraction: bending of a wave through a different medium

Diffraction: bending on the wave through a barrier or small opening Absorption: electromagnetic waves disappear into a medium

S8P4.c Explain how the human eye sees objects and colors in terms of wavelengths. The eye sees colors from the electromagnetic spectrum. All colors are based on their wavelength. From longest to shortest: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Indigo and Violet.

S8P4. d Describe how the behavior of waves is affected by medium (air, water and solids). Sound travels fastest to slowest in a solid, then liquid, then gas, respectively. Light travels fastest to slowest in a gas, then liquid, then solid respectively.

S8P4e Relate the properties of sound to everyday experiences. Sound waves can vary in pitch depending on the frequency of the wave. The loudness can vary depending on the amplitude of the wave (distance from resting position).

S8P4 f Diagram the parts of the wave and explain how the parts are affected by changes in amplitude and pitch. Parts to know: crest, trough, amplitude, wavelength, starting (resting) position, compression, rarefaction