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MassachusettsPhysics

Module 5: Waves and sound

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is sound, how do its frequency and amplitude set pitch and loudness, and how does its speed depend on the medium?

Describe sound as a longitudinal wave that needs a medium, relate its frequency to pitch and its amplitude to loudness, and describe how its speed depends on the medium (MA STE Introductory Physics, Waves, HS-PS4-1).
A standard-level answer on sound waves for the Massachusetts High School Introductory Physics MCAS: sound as a longitudinal wave that needs a medium, frequency setting pitch and amplitude setting loudness, and how the speed of sound depends on the medium it travels through.
12 min answer →

What is the electromagnetic spectrum, how do its regions compare, and how do devices use waves to carry information?

Describe the electromagnetic spectrum as a range of waves with different wavelengths, frequencies, and energies, order its regions, and explain how devices use waves to transmit information (MA STE Introductory Physics, Waves, HS-PS4-3, HS-PS4-5).
A standard-level answer on the electromagnetic spectrum for the Massachusetts High School Introductory Physics MCAS (HS-PS4-3, HS-PS4-5): the regions from radio to gamma rays ordered by wavelength, frequency, and energy, all travelling at the speed of light, and how devices use waves to transmit information.
13 min answer →

How do transverse and longitudinal waves differ in the way the medium moves, and which everyday waves are which?

Distinguish transverse waves (particle motion perpendicular to the wave direction) from longitudinal waves (particle motion parallel to the wave direction), and classify examples such as light, water, and sound waves (MA STE Introductory Physics, Waves, HS-PS4-1).
A standard-level answer on transverse and longitudinal waves for the Massachusetts High School Introductory Physics MCAS: how the medium moves perpendicular to the wave in a transverse wave and parallel to it in a longitudinal wave, with the crest, trough, compression, and rarefaction, and how to classify common waves.
12 min answer →

What happens to a wave when it meets a boundary between two materials?

Describe what happens when a wave meets a boundary: reflection, refraction, transmission, and absorption, with examples for light and sound (MA STE Introductory Physics, Waves, HS-PS4-1).
A standard-level answer on wave behavior at boundaries for the Massachusetts High School Introductory Physics MCAS: reflection, refraction, transmission, and absorption when a wave meets a boundary, with everyday examples for light and sound.
12 min answer →

What are the basic properties of a wave, and how do its speed, frequency, and wavelength relate?

Define wavelength, frequency, period, and amplitude, and use the wave equation v = f(lambda) to relate the speed, frequency, and wavelength of a wave (MA STE Introductory Physics, Waves, HS-PS4-1).
A standard-level answer on wave properties and the wave equation for the Massachusetts High School Introductory Physics MCAS (HS-PS4-1): wavelength, frequency, period, and amplitude, and using v = f(lambda) to relate the speed, frequency, and wavelength of a wave.
12 min answer →