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WAVES STUDY GUIDE
Labeling
Label the image with the common properties of waves.
Label 1: crest
Label 2: wavelength
Label 3: amplitude
Label 4: trough
Matching
Write the letter of the electromagnetic wave next to the description.
1. Absorbed by bones. d
2. The only visible wave on the
electromagnetic spectrum. a
3. The wave with the longest
wavelength. b
4. The most dangerous wave with the
highest frequency. f
5. Used in GPS and radar. e
6. Felt as heat by humans. c
7. Responsible for sun burns. g
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Visible
Radio
Infrared
X-ray
Microwave
Gamma
Ultraviolet
Ordering
In the space below, write the electromagnetic waves in the order that they occur on the
spectrum from large wavelength to small wavelength.
Radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blanks using the word bank. Each word will only be used once.
ROY G BIV
Refraction
Opaque
Transmitted
Amplitude
Wavelength
Reflects
Absorbs
Frequency
Translucent
Speed
Echo
Transparent
Hertz
Pitch
1. To remember the order of wavelengths of visible light, we can use the abbreviation ROY
G BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
2. For sound waves, a high frequency results in a high pitch.
3. The volume of sound is determined by the amplitude of the wave.
4. The color of light is determined by the wavelength of the light wave.
5. When sound waves are reflected, it is called an echo.
6. The unit used to measure frequency is hertz.
7. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency.
8. An object is opaque because it absorbs light.
9. A window is an example of a transparent object.
10. A wall is an example of an opaque object.
11. A thin, white piece of paper is an example of a translucent object.
12. An object is transparent or translucent when some light is transmitted.
13. A banana appears yellow because that is the wavelength that the banana reflects.
14. The equation for wave speed is wavelength divided by frequency.
15. An pencil appearing distorted in water is an example of refraction.
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Matching
Write the letter of the light property next to the description.
8. When light bends. b
9. When light energy is transferred into
something else. c
10. An object that is not see through. g
11. An object that is fully see through. e
12. When light bounces off a surface. a
13. When light travels throughs
something. d
14. An object that is partially see
through. f
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Reflection
Refraction
Absorption
Transmission
Transparent
Translucent
Opaque
Sorting
Sort the terms as describing either light or sound waves.
Transverse wave
Requires matter
Longitudinal wave
Mechanical wave
Travels fastest in empty space
Compression
LIGHT


ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE
 TRANSVERSE WAVE
TRAVELS FASTEST IN EMPTY SPACE
Electromagnetic wave
Travels fastest in a solid
Pitch
SOUND






Mechanical wave
Longitudinal wave
Compression
Requires matter
Travels fastest in a solid
Pitch
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Things to Know
 The definition of a wave
 The properties of waves and how to identify or measure them
o Wavelength
o Amplitude
o Crest
o Trough
o Frequency
o Speed
 Be able to identify a transverse wave and longitudinal wave
o Compression
o Rarefaction
 Sound Waves
o Type of mechanical wave
o Longitudinal wave
o Needs a medium
o Travels fastest in solids
o Can be reflected and absorbed
 Electromagnetic spectrum
o Know that they do not need a medium (matter)
o Know the order of the waves
o Know examples for each wave
 Properties of Light
o Type of electromagnetic wave
o Transverse wave
o Does not need a medium
o Travels fastest in empty space (vacuum)
o Refraction
o Reflection
o Absorption
o Transmission
o Transparent objects
o Translucent objects
o Opaque objects
o Know how we see color
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