8.PS4.3 Waves in Communication Systems

What logical conclusion can you make about the properties of light from this observation?

• Light cannot travel through vacuums, but it can travel through solids, liquids, and gases

• Light can travel through a vacuum. It can also travel through any medium.

• Light can travel through a vacuum. It can also travel through a gas.

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Examine the wave diagrams in the picture.

Two-Part Question

Part One: Contrast transverse waves and longitudinal waves

Part Two: Are these waves mechanical or electromagnetic

• Part One: Transverse-particles move parallel, longitudinal-particles move perpendicular

  Part Two: These types of wave are mechanical, not electromagnetic.

• Part One: Transverse-particles move perpendicular, longitudinal-particles move parallel

  Part Two: These types of wave are mechanical, not electromagnetic.

• Part One: Transverse-particles are reflected, longitudinal-particles are refracted

  Part Two: These types of wave are electromagnetic, not mechanical.

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A ray of light shines through a transparent window. Next it shines through a transparent glass cup containing water and a straw in it. You notice that the straw in the water appears to be misshaped. The light shining through the glass next impacts a mirror on the far side of the room.

Two-Part Question

Part One: Place the diagrams in the correct sequence to match the provided narrative above.

Part Two: Identify the type of wave: Mechanical or Electromagnetic?

• Part One: Diagram 01, Diagram 02, Diagram 03 Part Two: Visible light is an electromagnetic wave

• Part One: Diagram 02, Diagram 04, Diagram 03 Part Two: Visible light is a mechanical wave

• Part One: Diagram 03, Diagram 04, Diagram 02 Part Two: Visible light is an electromagnetic wave

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Examine the wave diagrams. Which of the following answers correctly explains how light waves and radio waves are different from all mechanical waves?

• Radio and light waves can propagate without a medium in a vacuum.

• Light and radio waves are always transverse waves, never longitudinal.

• Light waves and radio waves slow down in a vacuum. Mechanical waves speed up.

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Examine the diagram below. Identify the wave type shown above, and describe two key characteristics of this wave.

• This is a sound wave. They are mechanical waves and require a medium to propagate.

• This is a radio wave. These waves are electromagnetic and do not require a medium.

• This is an electromagnetic air pressure wave. These waves do not require a medium.

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Two boys playing in their neighborhood are communicating with each other using two-way radios (also known as walkie-talkies). They are one mile away from each other, and they cannot see each other. Which kinds of waves are the boys using for this communication?

• They are using and radio waves (electromagnetic), and sound waves (mechanical).

• They are using sound waves (electromagnetic) and radio waves (mechanical).

• They are using sound waves (electromagnetic) and X-ray waves (mechanical).

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Remote control devices for television and computer mice are common items that are routinely used by people all around the globe. Which kinds of waves do these devices utilize, and what communication process best describe their use?

• Infrared waves. Machine to Machine then Human to Human.

• Infrared waves. Human to Machine then Machine to Machine.

• Ultraviolet waves. Machine to Machine then Machine to Human

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An air traffic controller monitoring radar signals determines that an aircraft is flying at the wrong altitude. She communicates with the airplane’s pilot via radio to alert them about this. Which two kinds of waves was the air traffic controller using, and what kind of waves are they?

• Microwaves and Gamma Rays. Microwaves and gamma waves are mechanical.

• Radar waves and Radio. Radar is mechanical. Radio waves are electromagnetic.

• Microwaves and Radio waves. Both of these are electromagnetic waves.

If you are injured or sick, you may have to go to a hospital to receive special medical treatment involving waves. Which two kinds of electromagnetic waves do doctors often use to look inside of patients without surgery?

• X-ray and gamma waves can propagate through our bodies to create visual images.

• Light waves and sound waves can enable a doctor to look inside our bodies.

• Ultraviolet and Infrared waves can propagate through our bodies to create pictures.

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Fiber optic cables have greatly improved communication systems by increasing the bandwidth for data/images to be transmitted. Which kinds of waves are used with fiber optic cables, and how fast can waves propagate through these cables?

• They use ultraviolet waves that move at the speed of light.

• They use visible light waves that move at the speed of light.

• They use a combination of radio waves and sound waves at the speed of sound.

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