Waves And Electromagnetic Spectrum

Question 1

What is a wave

Answer 1

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another, without transferring matter.

Question 2

What is at the name of top of each wave

Answer 2

Crest/peak

Question 3

What is the name of bottom of each wave

Answer 3

Trough

Question 4

What is the frequency of each wave

Answer 4

The frequency of a wave is the number of times a wave oscillates in one second.

In the above example the frequency is 1 Hz (1 oscillation per 1 second).

Question 5

What is the frequency of each wave

Answer 5

The frequency of a wave is the number of times a wave oscillates in one second.

In the above example the frequency is 1 Hz (1 oscillation per 1 second).

Question 6

What does the middle to top of each wave show

Answer 6

Amplitude

Question 7

What is the wavelength

Answer 7

The wavelength of a wave is the length of one oscillation, in metres

Question 8

What is the unit for frequency

Answer 8

Hertz

Question 9

What is the unit for wavelength

Answer 9

Metres

Question 10

What is the unit for wavelength

Answer 10

Metres

Question 11

What is the time period of wave

Answer 11

The time period is the time it takes for one entire oscillation of a wave, in seconds.

Question 12

What is the formula for time period

Answer 12

Time period=1/frequency

Question 13

What is the formula that links,wavelength,speed and wave speed

Answer 13

wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m)

V = f λ

Question 14

What is a tranverse and longitudional wave

Answer 14

A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

A wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer:

Question 15

Examples of tranverse and longitudional wave

Answer 15

Electromagnetic waves.
Water waves
Waves on a string
Seismic s-waves

Sound waves
Seismic p-waves

Question 16

Requiring practical-measuring waves

Answer 16

Wave features can be measured using a ripple tank. A motor produces waves (ripples) in a shallow tank of water. The tank has a transparent base and a light above it. This allows the waves to be seen as shadows moving on the surface below the tank.

The wavelength is the distance between two shadows and the frequency is the number of shadows passing a point each second. This can be difficult to do as the waves/shadows are moving constantly.

Standing waves can be produced using a piece of string/elastic attached to a vibration generator. As the frequency of the vibrations is adjusted, a standing (stationary) wave can be produced.

The wavelength is the distance across two nodes. The frequency can be measured from the vibration generator itself.