Exploring the Differences Between Light and Sound Waves

Exploring the Differences Between Light and Sound Waves

Assessment

Interactive Video

Science

6th - 10th Grade

Medium

NGSS
MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2

Standards-aligned

Created by

Ethan Morris

Used 4+ times

FREE Resource

Standards-aligned

NGSS.MS-PS4-1
,
NGSS.MS-PS4-2
The video tutorial compares light waves and sound waves, highlighting their differences. Light waves are electromagnetic and can travel through a vacuum, while sound waves are mechanical and require a medium. Light waves are transverse, with oscillations perpendicular to wave direction, whereas sound waves are longitudinal, with oscillations parallel to wave direction. The speed of light is much faster than sound, explaining why we see lightning before hearing thunder. Amplitude and frequency have different meanings in light and sound, relating to intensity and color for light, and volume and pitch for sound.

Read more

10 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is a key characteristic of light waves that allows them to travel through a vacuum?

They require a material medium.

They are elastic waves.

They are mechanical in nature.

They are electromagnetic in nature.

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why can't sound waves travel through a vacuum?

They are electromagnetic in nature.

They require a material medium for propagation.

They travel too slowly.

They are transverse waves.

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What type of wave is a light wave?

Elastic wave

Mechanical wave

Transverse wave

Longitudinal wave

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

In which direction do the oscillations of a transverse wave occur?

In a random direction

In a circular motion

Perpendicular to the wave's advance

Parallel to the wave's advance

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What type of wave is a sound wave?

Longitudinal wave

Transverse wave

Electromagnetic wave

Mechanical wave

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the approximate speed of light waves in air?

300 meters per second

330 meters per second

3 x 10^8 meters per second

3 x 10^6 meters per second

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why do we see lightning before hearing thunder?

Sound waves are brighter than light waves.

Light waves travel faster than sound waves.

Sound waves travel faster than light waves.

Light waves are louder than sound waves.

Create a free account and access millions of resources

Create resources
Host any resource
Get auto-graded reports
or continue with
Microsoft
Apple
Others
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Already have an account?