Physical Science · Waves and Energy Transfer
Virginia SOL PS.6
Virginia SOL PS.6 is part of the Waves and Energy Transfer strand in Physical Science (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand that waves are important in the movement of energy. Below is what PS.6 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice PS.6 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL PS.6 means
Investigate and understand that waves are important in the movement of energy.
Practice Physical Science SOL questions
Free Physical Science questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on PS.6 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. Gases are much more compressible than liquids. According to the particle model of matter, gases are more easily compressed because the particles in gases are —
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Answer: C — farther apart
2. An electromagnet is made by wrapping wire around an iron nail and connecting it to a battery. Which of these would make the electromagnet strongest?
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Answer: G — Wrapping the wire around the nail more times
3. Sea lions and true seals are compared. Sea lions have external ears and can turn their hind flippers forward; true seals have no external ears and cannot turn their hind flippers forward. According to this information, which of these animals is a sea lion?
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Answer: A — The animal with external ears and forward-turning hind flippers
4. What type of animals live in a wetland? Which type of report would probably provide the most accurate answer?
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Answer: J — “Organisms in Wetlands,” a report by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Skills you’ll practice for PS.6
- Describe how energy may be transferred in the form of longitudinal and transverse waves.
- Explain that mechanical waves need a medium to transfer energy.
- Describe how waves can interact.
- Explain applications of energy associated with waves.
Key concepts covered by PS.6
- longitudinal waves
- transverse waves
- energy transfer
- mechanical waves
- medium
- wave interactions
- wave energy
- applications
How to study and practice SOL PS.6
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether PS.6 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL PS.6
What is Virginia SOL PS.6?
SOL PS.6 is a Physical Science Standard of Learning in the Waves and Energy Transfer strand. It expects students to investigate and understand that waves are important in the movement of energy.
What skills does SOL PS.6 cover?
SOL PS.6 is assessed on 4 skills: describe how energy may be transferred in the form of longitudinal and transverse waves; explain that mechanical waves need a medium to transfer energy; describe how waves can interact; explain applications of energy associated with waves.
What strand of Physical Science is SOL PS.6 in?
SOL PS.6 belongs to the Waves and Energy Transfer reporting strand of the Physical Science Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL PS.6?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether PS.6 is already solid, then work the 4 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.