Wave Properties & Behavior - Study Guide & Scientist Circle

Wave Properties & BehaviorANSWER KEY

Name: Period: Date:

1.Waves transfer energy, not matter; particles oscillate but don't travel with the wave

2.Different waves interact differently with materials based on wavelength and energy

3.Light has a finite speed (~3×10⁸ m/s); we can measure travel time over long distances

REF STUDY GUIDE: Big Ideas Use to answer form questions

1.Waves transfer energy without transferring matter. A wave carries energy from source to receiver through vibrations in a medium or oscillating fields.

2.Wavelength determines how waves interact with materials. Longer wavelengths (radio/WiFi) pass through walls; shorter wavelengths (visible light) are absorbed or reflected.

3.Waves can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted depending on material and wavelength. Every material has different responses to different wavelengths.

Energy Source -> Wave Type -> Hits Material -> Reflected / Absorbed / Transmitted -> Signal Received

WAVE BEHAVIOR (Wavelength and material properties determine whether a wave passes through, bounces off, or gets absorbed)

DRAW KEY TERMS Google each → Images tab → sketch what you see

Wavelength

Distancia de un pico de onda al siguiente

Frequency

Número de ondas que pasan por un punto por segundo

Reflection

Wave bounces off a surface

Absorption

Wave energy is taken in by material

WRITE FOCUS QUESTION Your initial thinking

How can we see through walls with WiFi but not with flashlights?

Both WiFi and light are electromagnetic waves, but WiFi passes through walls while light bounces off. Your phone receives WiFi signals from rooms away, but you can't see through the same walls. What determines whether a wave passes through, bounces off, or gets absorbed?

I think WiFi goes through walls but light doesn't because...

WRITE AFTER HOOK FORM Reflect before continuing

I learned that waves interact with materials by...

Station 1 — Wave Tank Investigation

When a wave hits a barrier, it...

Wavelength affects behavior because...

This connects to WiFi vs light because...

Station 1 — Wave Tank Investigation

CHECKPOINT: wavelength = distance peak-to-peak; shorter wavelength = higher frequency = more energy

When a wave hits a barrier, it...

Wavelength affects behavior because...

This connects to WiFi vs light because...

Station 2 — Electromagnetic Spectrum

CHECKPOINT: electromagnetic spectrum = range from radio (long wavelength) to gamma (short wavelength); all travel at light speed

Radio waves pass through walls but visible light doesn't because...

The relationship between wavelength and energy is...

This explains WiFi because...

CHECK DAY 1 CHECK-IN Before you leave

Q1: Why can WiFi signals pass through walls but visible light cannot?

Q2: From C4: How is energy transfer by waves similar to energy transfer in food chains?

Confidence:

Still building Getting clearer Ready to explain

Station 2 — Electromagnetic Spectrum

Radio waves pass through walls but visible light doesn't because...

The relationship between wavelength and energy is...

This explains WiFi because...

Station 3 — Design a Wave Barrier

CHECKPOINT: transmission = wave passes through; different materials block different wavelengths

To block microwaves but allow radio waves, I would...

Material thickness and density affect transmission because...

The trade-off in my design is...

DRAW YOUR WAVE BEHAVIOR MODEL Complete before exit

Model how waves interact with materials: (1) Wave source with labeled wavelength, (2) Material/barrier, (3) Show reflection, absorption, AND transmission, (4) Compare short vs long wavelength behavior. Use arrows for wave direction, labels for each interaction.

TODO: author answer text

Include: Wave source Material barrier Reflected wave Absorbed energy Transmitted wave

CHECK TEST YOUR THINKING Rate each: FALSE ← 1–2–3–4–5 → TRUE

1. Waves carry matter from one place to another as they travel.

F12345T

2. All electromagnetic waves behave exactly the same way.

F12345T