Question

In this unit, we learned about the properties of waves, how waves move through different materials, and how waves can be used for communication purposes.

Show what you know about waves by completing the following activity:

Download the pdf, then draw 2 waves and label them “A” and “B”. Wave B should have a higher frequency but lower amplitude than A. Label each wave with the words: wavelength and amplitude. Below the picture, define wavelength, frequency, pitch, and amplitude. Then, explain the relationships between wavelength and frequency, frequency and pitch, amplitude and sound.

Draw and Write

Behavior of Light Waves
The sun is our most important source of energy. It gives plants the ability to perform photosynthesis and make their own food. The sun provides animals with warmth, boosts our moods, and is essential to all life on Earth. The behavior of the sun’s light is determined by the material or object it comes in contact with.

A duckling sits on a duck's back. Sunlight reflects on the water.
Source: Nikolay Zaborskikh/Shutterstock

Write a paragraph that shows your understanding of how light is transmitted, absorbed, and reflected. In your paragraph, provide at least one example of how light is being transmitted, absorbed, and reflected in this picture.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
**Draw and Write Activity**

**Waves Drawing:**

(A) [Draw a wave with a larger amplitude and longer wavelength]

(B) [Draw a wave with a higher frequency and lower amplitude]

**Label:**
- **Wave A:** Wavelength (longer), Amplitude (higher)
- **Wave B:** Wavelength (shorter), Amplitude (lower)

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**Definitions:**
- **Wavelength:** The distance between successive crests or troughs in a wave. It determines the length of one complete wave cycle and is usually measured in meters.
- **Frequency:** The number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher frequency means more waves in the same time period.
- **Pitch:** The perceived frequency of a sound. Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches, while lower frequencies correspond to lower pitches.
- **Amplitude:** The maximum extent of a wave's vibration from its rest position. In sound waves, larger amplitudes correspond to louder sounds, while smaller amplitudes correspond to quieter sounds.

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**Relationships:**
1. **Wavelength and Frequency:** Wavelength and frequency are inversely related. As the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases. This means that higher frequency waves compact more cycles into a given period of time, resulting in shorter wavelengths.

2. **Frequency and Pitch:** Frequency is directly related to pitch. A higher frequency wave will produce a higher pitch sound, while a lower frequency wave will result in a lower pitch. For example, a whistle has a higher frequency and is perceived as a higher pitch compared to a drumbeat, which has a lower frequency.

3. **Amplitude and Sound:** Amplitude affects the loudness of a sound. A wave with a larger amplitude will produce a louder sound, while a smaller amplitude will result in a quieter sound. For example, a shout generates sound waves with a higher amplitude compared to a whisper.

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**Behavior of Light Waves:**

In the image of the duckling sitting on the duck's back with sunlight reflecting on the water, we can observe how light behaves in different ways. Light from the sun is transmitted through the air and encounters the water's surface. Some of this light is absorbed by the water, which can cause the water to warm up, demonstrating absorption. The shiny surface of the water also reflects a portion of the sunlight, creating a bright shimmer that can be seen. Additionally, the duck itself reflects some of the sunlight, making its feathers appear vibrant and gleaming. This example illustrates how light can be transmitted, absorbed, and reflected in a single scene.

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