SP4

Question 1

What are the two types of waves?

Answer 1

Transverse (oscillations perpendicular to direction) - e.g., light

Longitudinal (oscillations parallel to direction) - e.g., sound

Question 2

What do you label on a wave diagram?

Answer 2

Crest/peak
Trough
Amplitude (height from rest)
Wavelength (λ, distance between peaks)
Frequency (Hz, waves per second

Question 3

Wave equation:

Answer 3

v = fλ
(speed = frequency × wavelength)

Question 4

A wave has f=5Hz and λ=0.4m. Calculate speed

Answer 4

v = 5 × 0.4 = 2 m/s

Question 5

What is refraction?

Answer 5

Change in wave speed/direction when crossing mediums

Question 6

Why does light bend towards the normal when entering glass?

Answer 6

Slows down in denser medium

Question 7

What happens at boundaries?

Answer 7

Some reflects
Some transmits (may refract)
Some absorbs (→ thermal energy)

Question 8

Human hearing range:

Answer 8

20Hz - 20,000Hz

Question 9

Ultrasound uses:

Answer 9

Medical imaging (prenatal scans), sonar

Question 10

Infrasound examples:

Answer 10

Earthquakes, volcanoes (<20Hz)

Question 11

What does a seismometer measure and record?

Answer 11

seismic waves

Question 12

What is the speed of light?

Answer 12

3 x 10⁸ m/s

Question 13

equation for density

Answer 13

density = mass (kg)
—————–
volume (m³)