Chapter 11 General Wave Properties

Question 1

What is a wave ?

Answer 1

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through vibrations from one
place to another, without the transfer of particles/matter itself.

Question 2

what are the two key properties of waves?

Answer 2

• Carries energy away from the wave source
• Transfers energy without transferring matter

Question 3

What is the trough in a wave?

Answer 3

the low points on a wave

Question 4

What is a phase?

Answer 4

When 2 particles are moving in the same direction from the same relative position, they are in phase.
The distance between 2 points in phase is the wavelength , λ.

Question 5

what is the unit for wavelength?

Answer 5

λ

Question 6

What is the period in a wave?

Answer 6

Time taken for any given point on the wave to move a distance of one wavelength, ie the time taken to generate one complete wave.

Question 7

what is the formula for period?

Answer 7

T = 1/f

Question 8

what is frequency?

Answer 8

Number of crests or troughs that pass a point per second, i e the number of complete waves generated per second.

Question 9

what is the formula for frequency (similar to period)

Answer 9

f=1/T

Question 10

what is the definition for speed of wave

Answer 10

Distance moved by a wave per unit time.

Question 11

what are transverse waves?

Answer 11

Transverse waves are waves whose particles vibrate in a direction
perpendicular to the direction of the wave motion.

Question 12

what are longitudinal waves?

Answer 12

Longitudinal waves are waves whose particles vibrate in a direction
parallel to the direction of the wave motion.

Examples:
- Sound wave
- Silky coil