Longitudinal and transverse waves

Question 1

Mechanical waves need what to transmit energy?

Answer 1

Mechanical waves need a medium to transmit energy.

Question 1

Electromagnetic Waves need what to transmit energy?

Answer 1

Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, transmit energy through a vacuum.

Question 2

Mechanical waves distance and movement

Answer 2

Mechanical waves can move over very large distances but the particles of the medium only have very limited movement.

Question 3

How do particles in mechanical waves oscillate?

Answer 3

In mechanical waves the particles of the matter vibrate back and forth or up and down about an average position, which transfers the energy from one place to another

Question 4

Continuous or periodic wave

Answer 4

Continuous vibration of the source will cause the particles within the medium to oscillate about their average position in a regular, repetitive or periodic pattern.

Question 5

What is the source of any mechanical wave?

Answer 5

The source of any mechanical wave is this repeated motion or vibration.The energy from the vibration moves through the medium and constitutes a mechanical wave.

Question 6

Travelling wave

Answer 6

Any wave that travels unimpeded through a medium is known as a travelling wave.

Question 7

Transverse waves movement

Answer 7

The particles within the medium can vibrate up and down in a direction perpendicular, or transverse, to the direction of motion of the wave energy

Question 8

Crest/Trough

Answer 8

When the particles are displaced upwards from the average position, or resting position, they reach a maximum positive displacement called a crest. Particles below the average position fall to a maximum negative position called a trough.

Question 9

Longitudinal wave movement

Answer 9

In a longitudinal mechanical wave, the vibration of the particles within the medium are in the same direction, or parallel to, the direction of energy flow of the wave.

Question 10

Longitudinal wave Graph

Answer 10

Compressions: areas of high pressure
Rarefactions: areas of low pressure