Wave Basics

Question 1

What is amplitude

Answer 1

Is the displacement from the rest position to a crest or trough

Question 2

What is wavelength

Answer 2

The length of a full cycle of the wave ( e.g. from crest to crest )

Question 3

What is frequency

Answer 3

The number of complete cycles of the wave passing a certain point per second

Measured in hertz ( Hz )
1Hz is 1 wave per second

Question 4

What is Period

Answer 4

Is the number of seconds it takes for one wave

Period = 1 divided by frequency

Question 5

What is speed

Answer 5

Speed = distance divided by time

Question 6

What are the units for speed

Answer 6

Speed - m/s
Distance - m
Time - s

Question 7

Question: Speed

10m, 5s, speed?

Answer 7

Speed = distance divided by time
Speed = 10m divided by 5s
Speed = 2m/s

Question 8

Wave speed equation

Answer 8

Wavespeed = frequency x wavelength

Question 9

The units for wavespeed equation

Answer 9

Wavespeed - m/s
Frequency - Hz
Wavelength - m

Question 10

Question: wavespeed equation

0.5Hz, 13m, wavespeed?

Answer 10

Wavespeed = frequencyxwavelength
Wavespeed = 0.5x13m
Wavespeed = 6.5m/s

Question 11

How does the vibrations react in a transverse wave

Answer 11

The vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave travels

Question 12

Examples of transverse waves

Answer 12

• All electromagnetic waves e.g. light
• S-Waves ( secondary seismic wave )
• ripples and waves in WATER

Question 13

How does the vibrations react in a longitudinal wave

Answer 13

The vibrations are parallel to the direct of the wave travels

Question 14

Examples of Longitudinal waves

Answer 14

Sound waves and P-waves ( primary seismic wave )