Module 3 part 1: Wave Properties

Question 1

what are the ways of classifying waves (2)

Answer 1

mechanical and non-mechanical

transverse and longitudinal

Question 2

what are mechanical waves (2)

Answer 2

waves that require a medium to transmit (propagate)

waves that involve matter

Question 3

list some examples of mechanical waves (4)

Answer 3

water waves
sound waves
ultra sound
seismic waves

Question 4

what are non mechanical waves (2)

Answer 4

waves that do not require a medium to transmit (propagate)

Waves that involve a electrical and magnetic fields

Question 5

list examples of of non mechanical waves (1 + 3 examples)

Answer 5

electromagnetic waves (eg. light, infrared, gamma waves)

Question 6

what are the characteristics of waves (2)

Answer 6

All waves are produced by vibrations

Waves transfer energy not matter

Question 7

what are transverse waves

Answer 7

waves where particles vibrate perpendicular to the wave’s transmission (propagation)

Question 8

list examples of transverse waves (2)

Answer 8

water waves

EM waves

Question 9

what are longitudinal waves

Answer 9

waves where the vibrations of the particles are along the direction in which the wave travels

Question 10

list examples of longitudinal waves (1)

Answer 10

sound waves

Question 11

what is amplitude

Answer 11

the maximum displacement of a particle between equilibrium position

Question 12

what is the symbol for amplitude

Answer 12

A

Question 13

what is wavelength

Answer 13

the distance between one wave peak and the next peak

Question 14

what is the symbol for wavelength

Answer 14

λ

Question 15

what is frequency

Answer 15

the number of complete waves that pass a point in one second

Question 16

what is the symbol for frequency

Answer 16

f

Question 17

what is frequency measured in

Answer 17

Hertz (Hz)

Question 18

what is a time period

Answer 18

the time taken to complete one full wave

Question 19

what is the symbol for time period

Answer 19

T

Question 20

what unit is used for time period

Answer 20

seconds (s)

Question 21

how is period calculated

Answer 21

1/frequency(f)

Question 22

how is frequency calculated

Answer 22

1/period (T)

Question 23

what is a medium

Answer 23

the material through a mechanical wave propagates

Question 24

what is a compression

Answer 24

the region of a wave with the greatest pressure and density

Question 25

what is a rarefraction

Answer 25

the region of a wave with the lowest pressure and density

Question 26

what is wave velocity measured in

Answer 26

m/s

Question 27

what is the wave equation

Answer 27

v = fλ

Question 28

what is wave number

Answer 28

the number of waves or complete cycles per unit length

Question 29

how is wave number calculated

Answer 29

wave number = 1/λ