Waves

Question 1

What is a wave?

Answer 1

-a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another, without transferring matter.

Question 2

What is a frequency of a wave?

Answer 2

-The number of times a wave oscillates in one second

Question 3

What is the wavelength of a wave?

Answer 3

-the length of one oscillation in metres.

Question 4

What is the ‘amplitude’ of a wave?

Answer 4

-the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position

Question 5

What is the unit for frequency?

Answer 5

-hertz (Hz)

Question 6

What is the time period of a wave?

Answer 6

-the time it takes for one entire oscillation of a wave.

Question 7

What is the formula for time period?

Answer 7

1/frequency

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is a transverse wave?

Answer 9

-a wave where oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

Question 10

Give four examples of transverse waves

Answer 10

-electromagnetic waves
-water waves
-waves on a string
-seismic s-waves

Question 11

What is a longitudinal wave?

Answer 11

-a wave where oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Question 12

Give two examples of longitudinal waves

Answer 12

-sound waves
-seismic p-waves