Topic 3 - Basics of Waves

Question 1

what is wavelength (λ)?

Answer 1

the distance from one peak to the next

Question 2

what is frequency (f)?

Answer 2

how many complete waves there are per second passing a certain point

Question 3

what is frequency measured in?

Answer 3

hertz (Hz), 1 hertz is 1 wave per second

Question 4

what is amplitude?

Answer 4

the height of the wave (from rest to crest)

Question 5

what is speed (v-velocity)?

Answer 5

how fast the wave is

Question 6

what is a wave period (t)?

Answer 6

the time it takes (s) for one complete wave to pass a point?

Question 7

what is the formula for frequency?

Answer 7

frequency = 1 / period (f=1/t)

Question 8

What is the formula for wave speed?

Answer 8

speed = frequency x wavelength

Question 9

what is 1 kilohertz in hertz?

Answer 9

1000

Question 10

what is 1 megahertz in hertz?

Answer 10

1,000,000

Question 11

what is an example of a transverse wave?

Answer 11

EM waves

Question 12

what is a transverse wave?

Answer 12

a wave where the vibrations are at 90 degrees to the direction energy is transferred by the wave

Question 13

what are examples of longitudinal waves?

Answer 13

sound and ultrasound waves, shock waves

Question 14

what is a longitudinal wave?

Answer 14

a wave where the vibrations are along the same direction as the wave transfers energy

Question 15

what do all waves do?

Answer 15

carry and transfer energy in the direction they’re travelling