Intensity (physics)

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/intensity-physics

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the definition?Power transferred per unit area perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation
2. What is the SI units?Watts per square meter (W/m²); kg⋅s⁻³ in base units
3. What is intensity in physics?Intensity tells us how much energy flows through a unit area every second. It is measured in watts per square meter (W/m²). It helps scientists understand light, sound, and other waves.
4. How do we measure intensity of light or sound?To measure intensity, we look at the power that passes through a surface that is perpendicular to the wave. We then divide that power by the area of the surface. The result is given in watts per square meter.

Energy Density: The amount of energy stored in a given system or region of space per unit volume.
Amplitude: The maximum displacement or magnitude of oscillation of a wave or oscillating system.
Electromagnetic Waves: Waves composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space at the speed of light.