Waves & Wave Properties

Question 1

What are waves?

Answer 1

Oscillations moving about a rest position.

Question 2

In longitudinal waves, the vibrations are __________ to the direction of wave travel.

In transverse waves, the vibrations are __________________ to the direction of wave travel.

Answer 2

parallel

perpendicular

Question 3

What is 1 example of a longitudinal wave?

Answer 3

A sound wave.

Question 4

Longitudinal waves show areas of ________________ and _________________.

Answer 4

compression
rarefaction

Question 5

Compressions are regions of ______ pressure.

Rarefactions are regions of _____ pressure.

Answer 5

high
low

Question 6

What are 2 examples of transverse waves?

Answer 6

Ripples on the surface of water.
Electromagnetic waves.

Question 7

In transverse waves, the particles move _______________ as the wave is transmitted through the medium.

Answer 7

up and down

Question 8

_______________________ cause oscillations of particles in a solid, liquid or gas and must have a medium to travel through.

____________________________ cause oscillations in electrical and magnetic fields.

Answer 8

Mechanical waves

Electromagnetic waves

Question 9

What is the time period?
(Not the 21st century).

Answer 9

The time taken for a full cycle of a wave.

Question 10

What is the frequency?

Answer 10

The number of waves passing a point each second.

Question 11

When sound is created, the air particles ____________________ with each other

Causing the ____________ to pass between air particles.

The vibrating particles __________________ through to a person’s ear and ______________________.

Answer 11

vibrate and collide

vibrations

pass the sound
vibrate the ear drum

Question 12

Waves in a solid practical:

1. Attach a string to a ______________________ and also attach a ________________________ to pull the string taut.
2. Place a _________________ under the string near the pulley.
3. ______________________________ and adjust the wooden bridge until __________________ can be clearly observed.
4. Measure the length of the ___________________ observed, then divide by the ____________________________.
5. ___________ to give the wavelength.
6. Obtain the frequency from the __________________.
   Calculate the speed of the waves using: ___________________________________.

Answer 12

vibration generator
hanging mass and pulley

wooden bridge

Switch on the vibration generator
stationary waves

half wavelengths
number of half wavelengths

Double

power supply
wave speed = frequency × wavelength