1. Waves

Question 1

What do all waves transfer?

Answer 1

Energy

Question 2

What are the names of the two types of wave?

Answer 2

Transverse and longitudinal.

Question 3

What is the definition of a longitudinal wave?

Answer 3

In longitudinal waves the vibrations occur in the same direction (parallel) as the direction of the wave.

Question 4

State two examples of longitudinal waves.

Answer 4

Sound and seismic waves are longitudinal.

Question 5

What is the definition of a transverse wave?

Answer 5

In transverse waves the particles vibrate at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of the wave.

Question 6

What are some examples of transverse waves?

Answer 6

Water waves
Light waves
All other members of the EM spectrum (radio waves, microwavesz, x-rays etc).

Question 7

What is the definition of wavelength?

Answer 7

The wavelength is the distance between two identical points of a wave

e.g. crest to crest, or trough to trough

Question 8

What is the symbol for wavelength?

Answer 8

λ (lambda)

Question 9

What is the unit for wavelength?

Answer 9

m (metres)

Question 10

What is the definition of the amplitude of a wave?

Answer 10

The amplitude is HALF of the TOTAL height of the wave.

i.e. from the middle up to a crest or from the middle down to a trough.

Question 11

What is the definition of the frequency of a wave?

Answer 11

The frequency of the wave is the number of waves that pass a point in 1 second.

Question 12

What is the symbol for frequency?

Answer 12

f

Question 13

What is the unit for frequency?

Answer 13

Hz (Hertz)

Question 14

What is the definition of the period of a wave?

Answer 14

The period is the length of time it takes for one wave to pass a point.

Question 15

What is the symbol for period?

Answer 15

T

Question 16

What is the unit for period?

Answer 16

s (seconds)

Question 17

What is the symbol for distance?

Answer 17

d

Question 18

What is the unit for distance?

Answer 18

m (metres)

Question 19

What is the symbol for time?

Answer 19

t

Question 20

What is the unit for time?

Answer 20

s (seconds)

Question 21

What is the symbol for speed?

Answer 21

v

Question 22

What is the unit for speed?

Answer 22

ms^-1

Question 23

What is diffraction?

Answer 23

Diffraction is the bending of waves.

Question 24

Which diffracts more… longer or shorter wavelengths?

Answer 24

Long wavelengths (like radio waves) diffract more than short wavelengths.

Question 25

Which diffracts more… low or high frequency waves?

Answer 25

Low frequency waves (like radiowaves) diffract more than high frequency waves.

Question 26

If the wavelength of the wave is constant… how does diffraction change for different sizes of gap?

Answer 26

Diffraction increases as the width of the gap decreases.

Question 27

If the size of the gap is constant… how does diffraction change for different wavelengths of wave?

Answer 27

Diffraction increases as the wavelength increases.

Question 28

How do you get optimium diffraction through a gap?

Question 29

How do you lay out your work in order to achieve the full 3 marks for a calculation?

Answer 29

1. State equation exactly as it is written on the sheet.
2. Sub in relevant numbers and do any rearranging.
3. Write final answer WITH CORRECT UNIT.

Question 30

If a wave reflects off of a surface, what is the total distance it travels?

Answer 30

DOUBLE the distance to the object.