Waves and Technology

Based on the electromagnetic spectrum, which of the following do radio waves have?

• High frequency and long wavelength

• High frequency and short wavelength

• Low frequency and long wavelength

• Low frequency and short wavelength

Based on the electromagnetic spectrum, what do X-rays have?

• Low frequency and long wavelength

• High frequency and long wavelength

• Low frequency and short wavelength

• High frequency and short wavelength

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Interference is when...

• A wave loses energy as it travels through a medium.

• A wave bounces off the boundary between one medium and another.

• A wave bends as it moves from one medium to another.

• Two waves overlap and combine.

Attenuation is when...

• A wave loses energy as it travels through a medium.

• A wave bounces off the boundary between one medium and another.

• A wave bends as it moves from one medium to another.

• Two waves overlap and combine.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which of the following is a longitudinal wave?

• Light wave

• Sound wave

• Radio wave

• Microwave

Which of the following is a type of mechanical wave?

• Radio wave

• Sound wave

• Light wave

• Gamma ray

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Reflection is when...

• A wave loses energy as it travels through a medium.

• A wave bounces off the boundary between one medium and another.

• A wave bends as it moves from one medium to another.

• Two waves overlap and combine.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which of these waves would travel the farthest in air without losing too much information?

• Long-wave radio waves

• Short-wave radio waves

• Long-wave microwaves

• Short-wave microwaves

Answer explanation

Longer waves travel farther in air without losing information. Since radio waves are longer wavelength than microwaves, long-wave radio waves travel the farthest!

What type of wave would be able to carry more information faster?

• Long-wave radio

• Short-wave radio

• Long-wave microwaves

• Short-wave microwaves

Answer explanation

The higher frequency a wave is, the more information it can carry! Because short wavelengths = higher frequency, short-wave microwaves will carry more information than any of the other types in the list.

Can electromagnetic waves ever be dangerous to your health?

• Yes, and high frequency waves are the safest.

• Yes, and high frequency waves are the most dangerous.

• Yes, but frequency doesn't make a difference, only amplitude.

• No, electromagnetic waves are always safe.

Answer explanation

Higher energy EM waves can cause damage to cells or DNA, such as burns from UV light or cancer from exposure to X-rays. Both high frequency and high amplitude increase a wave's energy.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-4