Properties of Waves

Question 1

Transverse wave

Answer 1

• oscillations of the wave are perpendicular to the direction the wave is travelling in
• particles move up and down

Question 2

Example of a transverse wave

Answer 2

• seismic waves and light waves

Question 3

Longitudinal waves

Answer 3

• oscillations of the wave are parallel to the direction the wave is travelling in
• particles move from side to side

Question 4

Example of longitudinal wave

Answer 4

• sound waves

- ultrasound waves

Question 5

Amplitude

Answer 5

Maximum height of the wave from the middle of the wave to the peak or trough
- measured in cm

Question 6

Wavelength

Answer 6

Distance from peak to peak or through to trough

- measured in cm

Question 7

Wavefront

Answer 7

Way of picturing waves from above

Question 8

Frequency

Answer 8

Number of waves passing a certain point per second

- measured in hertz

Question 9

Period

Answer 9

How long it takes for one complete wave to pass a point

- measured in seconds

Question 10

What do waves transfer

Answer 10

Waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter - the points on the wave vibrate back and forth about fixed points

Question 11

Relationship between speed, frequency and wavelength

Answer 11

Wave speed = frequency x wavelength

V = f x λ

Question 12

Relationship between frequency and time period

Answer 12

Frequency = 1/ time period
F = 1/T

Question 13

What are waves

Answer 13

Waves are a series of vibrations or oscillations which travel through space

Question 14

What is the Doppler effect?

Answer 14

Change in the observed frequency and wavelength of a wave when it’s source is moving relative to an observer

Question 15

Explanation of Doppler effect

Answer 15

Wave fronts compress together in front of the moving source, and spread out behind the moving source

Question 16

Refraction

Answer 16

When waves enter a different medium (e.g. glass or water) their speed can change, and the wavelength of the waves can increase/decrease, and the waves can change direction

Question 17

Incidence and reflection

Answer 17

Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

Question 18

What happens when waves slow down (refraction)

Answer 18

• when water travels from deep areas to shallow areas they slow down
• the waves will bunch together and cause the wavelength to decrease
• they will travel closer to the normal

Question 19

What happens when waves speed up (refraction)

Answer 19

• they will spread out and cause the wavelength to increase

- the waves will turn slightly away from the normal

Question 20

What is refraction

Answer 20

It is the name given to the change in speed of a wave when it passes from one medium to another