Waves

Question 1

What is a wave?

Answer 1

A wave is a periodic disturbance in a material (medium) or space that carries energy from place to place. It does not carry matter with it; instead, it moves matter as it passes through.

Question 2

What are the three main types of waves?

Answer 2

1. Mechanical waves
2. Electromagnetic waves
3. Matter waves

Question 3

What are mechanical waves?

Answer 3

Mechanical waves are governed by Newton’s laws and exist only within a material medium, such as water, air, and rock. Examples include water waves, sound waves, and seismic waves.

Question 4

What are electromagnetic waves?

Answer 4

Electromagnetic waves require no material medium to exist. Examples include visible light, radio waves, and x-rays.

Question 5

What are matter waves?

Answer 5

Matter waves are associated with fundamental particles like electrons, protons, and even atoms and molecules.

Question 6

How do mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves differ?

Answer 6

Mechanical waves need a medium to travel through, whereas electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.

Question 7

What are transverse waves?

Answer 7

Transverse waves are waves in which the medium moves at right angles to the direction of the wave.

Question 8

How do particles oscillate in transverse waves?

Answer 8

Particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Question 9

What are longitudinal waves?

Answer 9

Longitudinal waves are waves where each particle oscillates parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.

Question 10

What are compressions and rarefactions in longitudinal waves?

Answer 10

Compressions are regions where particles are close together, and rarefactions are regions where particles are far apart.

Question 11

What are the main parts of a transverse wave?

Answer 11

Crest (highest point), Trough (lowest point), Amplitude (intensity), and Wavelength (distance between successive identical parts).

Question 12

What is the period of a wave?

Answer 12

The period is the time required for one full wavelength to pass a certain point, represented by the symbol (T).

Question 13

What is the frequency of a wave?

Answer 13

The frequency is the number of full wavelengths that pass a point in a particular period of time, represented by the symbol (ƒ).

Question 14

How can you calculate wave speed?

Answer 14

Wave speed (v) can be calculated by the formula:
𝑣
=
𝜆
/
𝑇
v=λ/T
or
𝑣
=
𝜆
×
𝑓
v=λ×f

Question 15

How does the speed of electromagnetic waves compare in different media?

Answer 15

Electromagnetic waves travel fastest in a vacuum and slow down as they pass through different media, such as solids, liquids, and gases.