P11 Wave properties

Question 1

What is a transverse wave?

Answer 1

oscillations/vibrations are perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of energy transfer

Question 2

What is a longitudinal wave?

Answer 2

oscillations/vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer

Question 3

Give an example of a transverse wave.

Answer 3

electromagnetic waves

Question 4

Give an example of a longitudinal wave.

Answer 4

sound waves

Question 5

What is a compression?

Answer 5

area in longitudinal waves where the particles are squashed closer together

Question 6

What is a rarefaction?

Answer 6

area in longitudinal waves where the particles are pulled further apart

Question 7

What is the amplitude of a wave?

Answer 7

maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position

Question 8

What is the wavelength of a wave?

Answer 8

distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave

Question 9

What is the frequency of a wave?

Answer 9

number of waves passing a fixed point per second

Question 10

What unit is frequency measured in?

Answer 10

hertz (Hz)

Question 11

What property of a wave always stays the same when it travels from one medium to another?

Answer 11

frequency

Question 12

What rule do waves follow when they reflect off a surface?

Answer 12

angle of incidence = angle of reflection

Question 13

What happens when waves are transmitted at a boundary between two substances?

Answer 13

they carry on moving at a different speed

Question 14

What happens when waves are absorbed by a substance?

Answer 14

energy of the wave is transferred to energy stores of the substance