Waves and Sound

Question 1

Explain what is meant by a wave motion

Answer 1

It is vibrations/oscillations which transfer energy from one point to another without a transfer of medium.

Question 2

Define Wavefront

Answer 2

It is an imaginary line on a wave that joins all points which have the same phase of vibration.

Question 3

Define Period (scalar), s.

Answer 3

It’s the time taken to generate one complete wave/ time taken for the crest or any given point on the wave to move a distance of 1 wavelength

Question 4

Define Frequency (scalar)

Answer 4

It’s the number of crests or troughs that pass through a point per second/ the number of vibrations/ oscillations or complete wave generated in per second

Question 5

SI unit of Frequency (scalar)

Answer 5

Hz (hertz)

Question 6

Formula for Frequency

Answer 6

f= 1/T

Question 7

Define Amplitude (scalar)

Answer 7

The maximum displacement from the rest position or equilibrium position

Question 8

SI unit of Amplitude

Answer 8

m

Question 9

Definition of wavelength (scalar), m

Answer 9

The horizontal distance between 2 successive crests or trough or points that are in phase.

Question 10

Formula for speed of wave

Answer 10

v=fλ

Question 11

What is the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave?

Answer 11

A transverse wave travels in a direction perpendicular to the direction of vibration of the particles, while a longitudinal wave travels in a direction parallel to the direction of the vibration of the particles.

Question 12

Define what a soundwave is

Answer 12

A sound wave is a longitudinal wave which transfers energy from one point to another through a series of compressions and rarefactions.

Question 13

What is meant by ultrasound?

Answer 13

An ultrasound is a sound wave which has a frequency above 20kHz, above the upper limit of human audible range.

Question 14

What is meant by an echo?

Answer 14

An echo is a sound reflected from a surface.

Question 15

Formula for echoes

Answer 15

v=2d/t

Question 16

Relationship of frequency in soundwave

Answer 16

Higher frequency=higher pitch

Question 17

Relationship of loudness in a soundwave

Answer 17

Higher amplitude=louder note

Question 18

State 3 common properties of electromagnetic waves.

Answer 18

1. EM waves are transverse waves.
2. EM waves can travel through a vacuum (do not require a medium to travel)
3. EM waves travel at the speed of 3.0 x 10^8 m/s in a vacuum.

Question 19

Arrange the wave from the lowest frequency, longest wavelength to the highest frequency, shortest wavelength.

Answer 19

Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared radiation, Visible light, Ultraviolet waves, X-rays, and Gamma Rays.
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