Intro to Physics
Waves: Sound, Light and SEISMIC Unit Guide (Chapters 25.1-25.8, 26 and 27)
Key Terms
Wave
Transverse Wave
Longitudinal Wave
Mechanical Wave
Non-mechanical Wave
Seismic Waves
Focus vs. epicenter
S-wave and P-wave
Plate Tectonics and
convection of the mantle
Simple Harmonic Motion
Rest or equilibrium position
Wavelength (meters Wave
speed equation
Crest vs. trough
Period (seconds)
Frequency (Hertz)
Amplitude (meters)
Standing Wave (node vs.
antinode)
Constructive vs. Destructive Doppler Effect
Interference
Sound Waves
Light Waves
(Electromagnetic Waves)
Media and speed of sound
Dual nature of light (waves
vs. photons
Pitch (Hertz) vs. Loudness
Media and speed of light
(decibels)
Natural frequency, forced
Electromagnetic spectrum
vibration, resonance, and
(seven groups), temperature
beats
and frequency and photon
energy, polarization
Learning Targets (Can you…
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Explain what causes a wave?
Explain what a wave carries?
Compare and contrast mechanical and electromagnetic waves (think wave speed,
formation, different mediums)?
Draw a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave and label all parts and explain how
each differs in terms of vibrations and wave transmission.
State the units for frequency, wavelength, amplitude and period?
Explain the differences and relationships between frequency and intensity, frequency
and period, and frequency and wavelength.
Explain the relationship between amplitude and energy.
Solve wave speed and frequency problems?
Explain pitch and its relationship to loudness?
State the normal frequency range for human hearing?
Explain how the human ear works?
Explain the type and form of a sound wave?
Explain forced vibration, natural frequency and resonance?
Explain wave interference and how can it be constructive or destructive?
Explain a standing wave (nodes and antinodes) and what it its importance to music?
Explain the Doppler Effect and its cause for sound and light?
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Compare and contrast the two types of body seismic waves that travel through the
Earth?
Explain what causes earthquakes and its relationship to plate tectonics?
Explain why three seismic stations are needed to find the epicenter of an earthquake?
Explain what seismic evidence supports the idea that the inner core is solid and the
outer core is liquid?
Explain the sources of internal heat in the Earth?
Explain what occurs in the mantle to cause the plates to move?
Explain the three plate boundaries and what is the difference between convergence
and divergence?
Explain the difference between an epicenter and focus of an earthquake?
In general, where do most of the major earthquakes on Earth occur?
Explain how light is produced and how temperature influences the frequency and
wavelength of light?
List the seven groups of light on the electromagnetic spectrum. ?
Explain how polarization occurs?
Explain how media influences the speed of light.?
Explain the dual nature of light?