understand what a wave is and its properties
describe examples of how waves are reflected by various materials
describe examples of how waves are transmitted through various materials
distinguish between light and sound waves
describe how waves are transmitted or reflected
calculate and identify the energy in a wave
supporting claims on the reliability of waves being used for communication
A wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium, transferring energy without transferring matter. Waves have several properties, including amplitude (the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position), wavelength (the distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in phase), frequency (the number of complete oscillations of a wave per unit time), and speed (the rate at which a wave propagates through a medium).
When a wave encounters a boundary between two different media, it can be reflected, transmitted, or absorbed. The way in which a wave is reflected by a material depends on the properties of the material. For example, light waves are reflected by a smooth, shiny surface like a mirror, while sound waves can be reflected by a hard, flat surface like a wall.
When a wave is transmitted through a material, it can be refracted if the wave changes speed as it enters a new medium. For example, light waves are transmitted through a transparent material like glass, but they can be refracted as they pass from air to glass due to the change in speed.
Light waves and sound waves are two common types of waves. Light waves are electromagnetic in nature and do not require a medium to travel through, while sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to propagate.
Waves can be transmitted or reflected through various methods, such as bouncing off surfaces, passing through a medium, or diffracting around obstacles. The behavior of waves can be described using the wave equation, which can be used to calculate the energy carried by a wave.
The reliability of waves for communication can be supported by the fact that they can travel long distances without significant loss of energy, can be modulated to carry information, and can be easily controlled and detected using technology such as antennas, fiber optics, and sensors. Waves are used in various forms of communication, including radio waves, microwaves, and light waves for transmitting data, information, and signals over long distances.