chapter 11 - waves

Question 1

definition of wave

Answer 1

a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another through vibration without the transfer of matter

Question 2

types of waves

Answer 2

transverse wave
longitudinal wave

Question 3

definition of transverse waves

Answer 3

waves which travel in a direction perpendicular to the direction of vibration of particles

Question 4

definition of longitudinal waves

Answer 4

waves which travel in a direction parallel to the direction of vibration of particles

Question 5

examples of transverse waves

Answer 5

water waves
electromagnetic waves (eg. light)

Question 6

examples of longitudinal waves

Answer 6

sound waves

Question 7

definition of crest

Answer 7

the highest point of the wave

Question 8

definition of trough

Answer 8

the lowest point of the wave

Question 9

definition of amplitude

Answer 9

the maximum displacement from the rest position or equilibrium position

Question 10

SI unit for amplitude

Answer 10

metre (m)

Question 11

(two) definitions of wavelength

Answer 11

the shortest distance between any two successive points that are in phase

the horizontal distance between two successive crests or troughs

Question 12

SI unit of wavelength

Answer 12

metre (m)

Question 13

(three) definitions of period

Answer 13

time taken to produce one complete wave

time taken for the crest or any given point on the wave to move a distance of one wavelength

time taken for any point on the wave to complete one oscillation

Question 14

SI unit for period T

Answer 14

second (s)

Question 15

(two) definitions of frequency

Answer 15

the number of complete waves produced per second

determined by counting the number of crests and troughs that go past a point in one second

Question 16

SI unit of frequency

Answer 16

hertz (Hz)

Question 17

formulas for frequency

Answer 17

f = 1/T
frequency = 1/period

number of waves / time taken

Question 18

definition of speed

Answer 18

distance moved by a wave in one second

Question 19

SI unit of speed

Answer 19

metre per second (m/s)

Question 20

formula for speed

Answer 20

speed = distance/time

Question 21

formula for wave speed

Answer 21

v = f λ
speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m)

Question 22

definition of wavefront

Answer 22

imaginary line on a wave that joins all adjacent points that are in phase