Waves

Question 1

What is a transverse wave?

Answer 1

It is a wave in which the oscillations of the particles are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

Question 2

What is a longitudinal wave?

Answer 2

It is a wave in which the oscillations of the particles are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Question 3

Define displacement

Answer 3

It is the position of an oscillating particle from its equilibrium position

Question 4

Define amplitude

Answer 4

It is the maximum displacement of an oscillating particle from equilibrium position.

Question 5

Define wavelength

Answer 5

For a progressive wave, it is the distance between any 2 successive particles that are in phase.

Question 6

Define period

Answer 6

It is the time taken for a particle to undergo one complete cycle of oscillation. Also the time taken for wave to travel one wavelength.

Question 7

Define frequency

Answer 7

It is the number of oscillations performed by a particle per unit time.

Question 8

Define wave speed

Answer 8

Distance travelled by the wave per unit time

Question 9

Define intensity of waves

Answer 9

It is the rate of flow of energy per unit area perpendicular to the direction of the wave.