Chapter 5 - Waves

Question 1

In what direction do the particles vibrate (oscillate) for a transverse wave

Answer 1

The oscillation of the particles is perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels

Question 2

In what direction do the particles vibrate (oscillate) for a longitudinal wave

Answer 2

The oscillation of the particles is parallel to the direction of the travel of the wave

Question 3

What type of waves can travel through a vacuum

Answer 3

Electromagnetic waves

Question 4

What sort of waves are electromagnetic waves

Answer 4

Transverse waves

Question 5

What sort of waves are sound waves

Answer 5

Longitudinal waves

Question 6

What happens the greater the amplitude of a wave

Answer 6

The more energy it carries

Question 7

What is the top of a wave called

Answer 7

The peak or crest

Question 8

What is the bottom of a wave called

Answer 8

Trough

Question 9

What is the frequency of a wave

Answer 9

The number of waves passing a point in one second.

Question 10

What is the equation for finding the speed of a wave

Answer 10

V=f x /}

Speed = m/s

Frequency = Hz

Wavelength = metres

Question 11

What is the wavelength of a longitudinal wave

Answer 11

The distance from the middle of one compression to the next compression or the middle of one rarefaction to the middle of the next rarefaction

Question 12

What is the frequency of a longitudinal wave

Answer 12

The number of compressions passing a point in one second

Question 13

What is the image in a plane mirror:

Answer 13

• The same size as the object
• Upright
• Same distance behind mirror as object is in front
• Virtual

Question 14

What is a real image

Answer 14

An image that can be formed on a screen because the rays of light that produce the image actually pass through it

Question 15

What is a virtual image

Answer 15

An image that cannot be be formed on a screen because the rays of light that produce the image only appear to pass through it

Question 16

What happens when waves cross a boundary

Answer 16

Their speed changes and wavelength changes but frequency stays the same

Question 17

What light is refracted the most and what light is recreated the least

Answer 17

Violet right is refracted most

Red light is refracted least

Question 18

What is diffraction

Answer 18

The spreading of waves when they pass through a gap or round an obstacle

Question 19

When is the effect of diffraction most noticeable

Answer 19

If the wavelength of the waves is about the same size as the gap or the obstacle

Question 20

Through what substances do sounds waves travel fastest and slowest in

Answer 20

Sound waves travel fastest in solids and slowest in gases

Question 21

What are the range frequencies that can be heard by the human ear

Answer 21

20Hz - 20 000 Hz

Question 22

Where do echoes take place and what absorbs sounds

Answer 22

Only hard, flat surfaces such as walls and floors reflect sound

Soft things like carpets, curtains and furniture absorb sounds.

Question 23

What does the pitch of a note depend on

Answer 23

The frequency of the sound waves

Question 24

What is the relation between the frequency of a wave and the pitch of a sound

Answer 24

The higher the frequency of the wave, the higher the pitch or the sound

Question 25

What does the loudness of a sound depend on

Answer 25

The amplitude of the sound waves

Question 26

What is the relation between the amplitude and the loudness of the sound

Answer 26

The greater the amplitude the more energy the wave carries and the louder the second

Question 27

What does the quality of a note depend on

Answer 27

The waveform

Question 28

What does oscillation mean

Answer 28

Vibration