Topic P6- Waves

Question 1

What are the four methods to measure the speed of water ripples using a ripple tank?

Answer 1

1) using a signal generator attached to the dipper of a ripple tank you can create water waves at a set frequency.
2) Turn on the lamp, you should see the wave crests as shadows on the screen below the tank.
3) Measure the distance between shadow lines that are 10 wavelengths apart, then divide this distance by 10 to find the average wavelength.
4) Wave speed(m/s)=frequency X wavelength

Question 2

What are the four steps to measure speed of waves using string?

Answer 2

1) Turn on the signal generator and vibration transducer. The string will start to vibrate.
2) Adjust the frequency of the signal generator until there’s a clear wave on the string.
3) Measure the lengths of a few wavelengths, then divide to get the mean half-wavelength. Then double this mean to get a full wavelength.
4) Wave speed(m/s)=Frequency X Wavelength

Question 3

What is the amplitude of a wave?

Answer 3

The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from it’s undisturbed position

Question 4

What is the wavelength?

Answer 4

The distance between the same point on two adjacent waves

Question 5

What is the frequency of a wave?

Answer 5

The number of complete waves passing a certain point per second

Question 6

What is the equation for period?

Answer 6

Period(s)= 1/ frequency(Hz)

Question 7

What are transverse waves and examples?

Answer 7

The oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
Light and ripples in water

Question 8

What are longitudinal waves and an example?

Answer 8

The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Sound waves

Question 9

What is the equation that includes frequency, wavelength and wave speed?

Answer 9

Wave speed(m/s)= frequency(Hz) X wavelength(m)