Question

wave properties
wavelength
distance between two crests or two compressions.
questions

1. what does a shorter wavelength tell you about a wave’s energy?

frequency
number of waves that pass a point in one second.
questions

1. what unit is used to measure frequency?
2. if a wave has a higher frequency, does it have more or less energy?

amplitude
the height of the wave.
questions

1. what does amplitude measure?
2. what does greater amplitude mean for:

sound:
light:
comparing wave types
questions

1. complete the table below:

feature mechanical waves electromagnetic waves
needs a medium?
can travel through space?
example
critical thinking

1. why would astronauts not be able to hear each other talk in space without radios?
2. which type of wave carries energy from the sun to earth? explain your answer.

wave behavior: reflection, refraction, and diffraction
waves can change direction or behavior when they interact with objects or materials. three important wave behaviors are reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
reflection
reflection occurs when a wave bounces off a surface.
examples:
light reflecting off a mirror
sound creating an echo
questions

Explanation:

Wave Properties Questions

1. For waves, shorter wavelength correlates with higher frequency, and higher frequency means greater wave energy.
2. Frequency counts waves per second, measured in hertz.
3. Wave energy is directly proportional to its frequency.
4. Amplitude measures the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position, which relates to the wave's energy/intensity.
5. For sound, greater amplitude means louder volume; for light, it means brighter intensity.

Comparing Wave Types & Critical Thinking

1. Mechanical waves require a medium to travel and cannot move through space (e.g., sound waves). Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium and can travel through space (e.g., light waves).
2. Sound is a mechanical wave that needs a medium to travel; space is a near-vacuum with no medium for sound waves to propagate.
3. Electromagnetic waves carry solar energy to Earth. They do not require a medium, so they can travel through the vacuum of space between the Sun and Earth.

Answer:

Wave Properties Questions

1. A shorter wavelength means the wave has higher energy.
2. Hertz (Hz)
3. It has more energy.
4. It measures the maximum distance a wave moves from its rest position (related to the wave's energy/strength).
5. - Sound: Louder volume

• Light: Brighter intensity

Comparing Wave Types & Critical Thinking

22.

Feature	Mechanical Waves	Electromagnetic Waves
Can travel through space?	No	Yes
Example	Sound waves	Light waves

1. Because sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel, and space is nearly a vacuum with no such medium to carry sound waves.
2. Electromagnetic waves. They can travel through the vacuum of space (no medium required) and carry the Sun's energy to Earth in the form of light, heat, and other radiation.