Longitudinal and transverse waves

Question 1

What do waves do

Answer 1

• A wave transfers energy from one point to another without transferring matter
• This energy can be interpreted as information

Question 2

What is the amplitude of a wave

Answer 2

• The maximmum displacement of the wave from equillibrium

Question 3

What is the wavelength

Answer 3

• Distance of one entire oscillation

Question 4

What is the displacement of a wave

Answer 4

• How far the wave has oscillated from equillibrium

Question 5

What is the distance of a wave

Answer 5

• How far the wave has travelled from the starting point

Question 6

What is the frequency of a wave

Answer 6

• Number of oscillations per second

Question 7

What is the time period of a wave

Answer 7

• Time it takes for one complete oscillation

Question 8

What is the formula to find the frequency of a wave

Answer 8

• Frequency (Hz) = 1 / time period (s)

Question 9

What is the formula for the wave speed

Answer 9

• Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) X wavelength (m)

Question 10

What are the characteristics of a transverse wave

Answer 10

• Oscillations are perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
• All electromagnetic waves
• Can travel through a vacuum (light and radio)

Question 11

What are the characteristics of a longitudinal wave

Answer 11

• Oscillations are parallel to direction of energy transfer
• Compressions and refractions
• Sound waves and seismic - p waves