All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is amplitude in a wave model, stated as a simple definition?
Answer: The height of the wave from the rest position. Measures how far particles move from their starting position.
Flashcard 2: What is frequency in a wave model, stated as a simple definition?
Answer: How many waves pass a point in a given time. Counts wave cycles per second or minute.
Flashcard 3: Which wave feature most directly indicates more energy in many 4th grade models: larger amplitude or longer wavelength?
Answer: Larger amplitude. Higher waves carry more energy to move objects.
Flashcard 4: What is a transverse wave in terms of particle motion compared with wave travel?
Answer: Particles move perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. Like waves on a rope moving up-down while traveling sideways.
Flashcard 5: What is a longitudinal wave in terms of particle motion compared with wave travel?
Answer: Particles move parallel to the direction the wave travels. Like sound waves with back-forth motion matching wave direction.
Flashcard 6: What are compressions in a longitudinal wave model?
Answer: Regions where particles are close together. Particles bunch up in high-pressure zones.
Flashcard 7: What are rarefactions in a longitudinal wave model?
Answer: Regions where particles are spread farther apart. Particles spread out in low-pressure zones.
Flashcard 8: Which option best describes how a wave can move an object: by transferring energy through pushes and pulls or by carrying the object along?
Answer: By transferring energy through pushes and pulls. Wave energy creates forces that move objects.
Flashcard 9: Identify the best wave-model explanation for why wind can create larger ocean waves.
Answer: Wind transfers energy to the water, increasing wave amplitude. Wind energy makes water particles vibrate more.
Flashcard 10: Which statement correctly uses a wave model to explain motion in a stadium “wave” by people?
Answer: The pattern moves around; each person moves up and down in place. Shows wave energy moving while matter stays in place.
Flashcard 11: What is the wave-model explanation for why a floating cork bobs up and down when a water wave passes?
Answer: The water particles vibrate, transferring energy to the cork. Wave energy pushes water up, lifting the cork.
Flashcard 12: What is the wave-model explanation for why a floating cork does not travel far with a passing water wave?
Answer: Energy moves forward, but the cork mainly oscillates in place. Water particles don't travel, so neither does the cork.
Flashcard 13: Identify the correct statement about sound waves moving objects such as a drumhead.
Answer: Sound vibrations transfer energy that makes the drumhead vibrate. Air particles vibrate, passing energy to the drum surface.
Flashcard 14: What is the correct wave-model statement about a slinky wave: what moves down the slinky?
Answer: The wave (energy) moves; the coils mostly vibrate in place. Energy travels through coils that vibrate without traveling.
Flashcard 15: Which option best explains why stronger waves can cause more object motion: higher amplitude or lower frequency?
Answer: Higher amplitude. Bigger waves have more energy to push objects.
Flashcard 16: What is the best wave-model definition of a wave in 4th grade science?
Answer: A wave is a pattern that carries energy from place to place. Energy moves through a medium without transporting matter.
Flashcard 17: What does a wave transfer to objects it reaches: matter or energy?
Answer: Energy. Waves transport energy, not matter, through vibrations.
Flashcard 18: What is the name for the back-and-forth movement of matter in a wave model?
Answer: Vibration (oscillation). Particles move back and forth repeatedly in waves.
Flashcard 19: What is the key idea about particle motion in most waves: do particles travel with the wave?
Answer: No; particles vibrate in place while energy moves forward. Energy travels through the wave while matter stays local.
Flashcard 20: What is wavelength in a wave model, stated as a simple definition?
Answer: The distance between matching points, such as crest to crest. One complete wave cycle's length.
Flashcard 21: Choose the correct example of wave-caused motion: a pushed book sliding or a speaker making air vibrate.
Answer: A speaker making air vibrate. Sound waves cause air particles to vibrate.
Flashcard 22: Which option best explains a flag flapping in wind using a wave model: energy transfer along fabric or fabric traveling away?
Answer: Energy transfer along the fabric. Wind creates wave-like motion in the fabric.
Flashcard 23: What is a wave in a wave model (in terms of energy and matter)?
Answer: A disturbance that transfers energy without moving matter overall. Waves carry energy through a medium without net matter transport.
Flashcard 24: Which option best matches the wave model: a water wave moves water forward, or it moves energy forward?
Answer: It moves energy forward. Water stays in place while energy propagates.
Flashcard 25: Which statement best describes particle motion in most waves: particles travel with the wave or vibrate in place?
Answer: Particles vibrate in place while the wave travels. Wave energy moves forward while particles oscillate locally.
Flashcard 26: What is the medium in a wave model?
Answer: The material that the wave travels through. Waves need a substance to propagate through.
Flashcard 27: Identify the best wave-model prediction: if amplitude increases, does a floating cork bob less or more?
Answer: More. Higher amplitude means stronger oscillations.
Flashcard 28: Which option best describes how a wave on a rope makes the rope move?
Answer: Each part of the rope moves up and down around its rest position. Wave energy causes oscillation without net displacement.
Flashcard 29: What does a wave transfer that can cause motion in objects?
Answer: Energy. This energy transfer is what causes objects to move when waves pass.
Flashcard 30: What is the key idea of a wave model about matter moving with the wave?
Answer: Matter mainly vibrates; energy moves through the medium. Particles oscillate locally while energy propagates forward.