Checkpoint 2 — Sound and Light Review
In 2011, the Bureau of Meteorology deployed 15 Doppler radar stations across Australia, each firing 300,000,000 m/s radio pulses to track storms — time to prove you can use wave and sound physics the same way.
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The hook described how the Bureau of Meteorology uses radar (reflected radio waves) and infrasound detectors side-by-side to track storms — and pointed out that understanding both sound and light is what unlocks technology like that.
Looking back across Lessons 6–9, which idea do you now feel most confident applying to a real situation like weather tracking? Is there anything you'd want to revisit before moving on to the motion unit?
1. Sound waves are an example of:
2. Which property of a sound wave determines its loudness?
3. The electromagnetic wave with the longest wavelength is:
4. What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
5. According to the law of reflection:
6. Which part of the ear converts vibrations to electrical signals?
7. Refraction occurs when light:
8. Which of these is NOT part of the electromagnetic spectrum?
9. Pitch is determined by:
10. When light enters water from air, it bends toward the normal because:
Compare and contrast sound waves and light waves. In your answer, describe at least two similarities and two differences, including the type of wave each is and whether they need a medium. (4 marks)
Hint: Consider wave type, medium requirement, speed, and how they are produced.
Explain how optical fibres use the principle of reflection to transmit information. Why is this technology particularly important for a large, sparsely populated country like Australia? (4 marks)
Hint: Consider total internal reflection and Australia's geography.