Wave Behaviour

Question 1

What are waves?

Answer 1

An oscillation that transfers energy

Question 2

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Answer 2

A wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, don’t need a medium to travel through

Question 3

What are mechanical waves?

Answer 3

Waves that require a medium to travel through

Question 4

What is a longitudinal wave?

Answer 4

A wave whose vibrations are in the same direction as the direction of energy transfer of the wave

Question 5

What is a Transverse wave?

Answer 5

A wave whose vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel of the wave

Question 6

What is the definition, symbol and unit of Amplitude?

Answer 6

Amplitude = distance from middle to top or bottom of wave
Symbol = A
Unit = m or volts

Question 7

What is the definition, symbol and unit of Wavelength?

Answer 7

Wavelength = distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave
Symbol = λ
Unit = m

Question 8

What is the definition, symbol and unit of Frequency?

Answer 8

Frequency = number of waves/oscillations per second
Symbol = F
Unit = Hz

Question 9

What is the definition, symbol and unit for Time Period?

Answer 9

Time Period = time for one wave to pass a given point
Symbol = T
Unit = s

Question 10

What are the two ways to represent a wave?

Answer 10

Time Trace

Snapshot

Question 11

What does a time trace show?

Answer 11

Shows how displacement varies with time at a particular position

Question 12

What does a Snap shot show?

Answer 12

Shows how displacement varies with distance a particular time

Question 13

What can you measure from a time trace?

Answer 13

Period from any point on a wave to the same point on next wave
Amplitude

Question 14

What can you measure from a Snap shot?

Answer 14

Wavelength

Amplitude