Waves

Question 1

How do particles vibrate in a transverse wave?

Answer 1

Perpendicular (90°) to the direction in which the wave is travelling

Question 2

How do particles travel in a longitudinal wave?

Answer 2

Parallel to the direction in which the wave ia travelling

Question 3

What is amplitude?

Answer 3

The maximun displacement between the crest/trough and the undisturbed position

Question 4

What is frequency?

Answer 4

The number of complete waves passing by a certain point per second

Question 5

What is a period?

Answer 5

The amount of time taken for a complete wave cycle

Question 6

How do you calculate the length of a period?

Answer 6

period = 1 / frequency

Question 7

How do you calculate wave speed?

Answer 7

wave speed = frequency × wave length

Question 8

What is specular refection?

Answer 8

When a wave is reflected in a singular direction on a smooth surface

Question 9

What is diffuse reflection?

Answer 9

When a wave is reflected in lots of different directions on a rough surface