Wave Behaviour

Question 1

State the equation used to calculate wave speed.

Give appropriate units.

Answer 1

Wave Speed = Frequency x Wavelength

Speed (m/s), Frequency (Hz),
Wavelength (m)

Question 2

What word is used to describe when a

wave bounces off a surface?

Answer 2

Reflection

Question 3

What is the normal (in terms of reflection and

refraction)?

Answer 3

Avertical imaginary line which is

perpendicular to the boundary

Question 4

What occurs when light is reflected off a

boundary?

Answer 4

It bounces off a smooth flat surface so
that the angle of incidence (the angle it
comes in at) is the same as the angle of
reflection (the angle it leaves at)

Question 5

What is refraction?

Answer 5

Refraction is the change in speed of a 
wave as it reaches a boundary between 
two media, usually resulting in a change 
in direction (if it enters at an angle)

Question 6

What occurs when light is refracted at a boundary?

Answer 6

● The light changes speed and direction in the new
medium
● If the new medium is more dense, the light will
travel slower and bend towards the normal
● If the new medium is less dense, the light will
travel faster and bend away from the normal

Question 7

When entering a denser material, light

waves…

Answer 7

…slow down and bend towards the

normal.

Question 8

When entering a less dense material,

light waves…

Answer 8

…speed up and bend away from the

normal.

Question 9

How can refraction be measured?

Answer 9

The angle of incidence, i, and angle of
refraction, r, can be measured and
compared. All angles are measured
relative to the normal.

Question 10

What are the effects of absorption of different

wavelengths of waves in different mediums?

Answer 10

● Some materials behave 
differently depending on the
wavelength
● An example is glass which will transmit 
visible light, but reflect UV light

Question 11

How do sound waves travel through a solid?

Answer 11

The particles in the solid vibrate and
transfer kinetic energy through the
material.