Define transverse wave .

A transverse wave is a wave which vibrates at right angles to the direction of energy transfer.

Define longitudinal wave .

A longitudinal wave is a wave which vibrates parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

What do both transverse and longitudinal waves transfer, and what do they not transfer?

Both types of wave transfer energy , but they do not transfer matter (the particles of the medium do not travel with the wave).

On a transverse wave, the highest point above the rest position is called a ______ .

On a transverse wave, the highest point above the rest position is called a peak (or crest).

True or False? Longitudinal waves can travel through a vacuum.

False. Longitudinal waves cannot travel through a vacuum, since there are no particles present to vibrate.

Give two examples of a transverse wave and two examples of a longitudinal wave .

Transverse: ripples on the surface of water, vibrations on a guitar string, S-waves, electromagnetic waves. Longitudinal: sound waves, P-waves, pressure waves caused by repeated movements in a liquid or gas.

Which media can mechanical transverse waves travel through, and which can they not travel through?

Mechanical transverse waves can travel through solids and on the surfaces of liquids , but cannot travel inside liquids or gases.

How are longitudinal waves represented in a diagram?

Longitudinal waves are drawn as several lines parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Lines drawn closer together represent compressions ; lines drawn further apart represent rarefactions .

On a wavefront diagram, what does the spacing between the lines represent, and what does the arrow represent?

The space between the lines represents the wavelength . The arrow shows the direction the wave is moving, and is sometimes called a ray .

Amplitude is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave. It is given the symbol A and measured in metres (m).

Wavelength is the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave. It is given the symbol λ and measured in metres (m).

Frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second. It is given the symbol f and measured in hertz (Hz).

The time period of a wave is the time taken for a single wave to pass a point (or one full cycle of a wave). It is given the symbol T and measured in seconds (s).

How is wavelength measured differently in a transverse wave compared to a longitudinal wave?

In a transverse wave, wavelength is measured from one peak to the next peak. In a longitudinal wave, wavelength is measured from the centre of one compression to the centre of the next.

Waves with a higher frequency transfer a higher amount of ______ .

Waves with a higher frequency transfer a higher amount of energy .

Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave each second. It is given the symbol v and measured in metres per second (m/s).

Do transverse and longitudinal waves both obey the wave equation v = f λ?

Yes. Both transverse and longitudinal waves obey the wave equation.

Wave speed is the speed at which ______ is transferred through a medium.

Wave speed is the speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.

True or False? If wave speed and frequency are known, wavelength can be found by dividing wave speed by frequency.

True. Rearranging v = f λ gives λ = v ÷ f .

A wave has a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a wave speed of 0.15 m/s. Calculate its wavelength.

λ = v ÷ f λ = 0.15 ÷ 0.5 Wavelength, λ = 0.30 m

Describe how the speed of sound can be measured directly between two points.

Two people stand about 100 m apart (distance measured with a trundle wheel). One person bangs two wooden blocks together above their head; the second starts a stopwatch when they see this and stops it when they hear the sound. This is repeated and averaged, then speed = distance ÷ time.

Describe how the speed of sound can be measured using echoes.

A person stands about 50 m from a wall and claps two wooden blocks in rhythm with the echoes. A second person times 20 claps with a stopwatch. The total distance travelled is (20 × 2 × 50) m, so speed = distance ÷ time.

Describe how the speed of sound can be measured using an oscilloscope and two microphones.

Two microphones are placed about 5 m apart (measured with a tape measure) and connected to an oscilloscope, which triggers when the first microphone detects a sound. A loud clap is made next to the first microphone, and the oscilloscope shows the time difference between the sound arriving at each microphone. This is repeated and averaged, then speed = distance ÷ time.

Describe how wave speed can be measured in water using ripples.

Two people stand a few metres apart with a tape measure. One person disturbs the water surface to create a ripple; the second times how long it takes the ripple to reach them with a stopwatch. This is repeated ten times and an average time calculated, then speed = distance ÷ time.

In each method for measuring wave speed, the speed is calculated by dividing the ______ travelled by the time taken.

In each method for measuring wave speed, the speed is calculated by dividing the distance travelled by the time taken.

True or False? In the echo method for measuring the speed of sound, the total distance travelled during 20 claps is (20 × 2 × 50) m, where 50 m is the distance to the wall.

True. Each clap-to-echo journey covers twice the distance to the wall (2 × 50 m), so for 20 claps the total distance is (20 × 2 × 50) m.

In the ripple tank experiment to measure wave properties, what are the independent and dependent variables?

Independent variable = frequency, f . Dependent variable = wavelength, λ.

How is the wavelength of the water waves determined in the ripple tank experiment?

By using a ruler to measure the length of the screen and dividing this distance by the number of wavefronts.

How is the frequency of the water waves determined in the ripple tank experiment?

By timing how long it takes for a given number of waves to pass a particular point, then dividing the number of wavefronts by the time taken.

In the vibrating string experiment, the frequency of the signal generator is adjusted until a ______ wave is produced.

In the vibrating string experiment, the frequency of the signal generator is adjusted until a stationary wave is produced.

How can a stroboscope improve the accuracy of measuring waves in these experiments?

A stroboscope flashed at the same frequency as the waves makes them appear stationary, so the wavefronts are easier to identify and the wavelength and frequency easier to measure accurately.

Give some safety precautions that should be taken in the waves-in-a-solid experiment.

Use a rubber string instead of a metal wire, in case it snaps under tension. Wear safety goggles. Stand well away from the masses in case they fall. Place a crash mat under the masses.

True or False? In the ripple tank experiment, the depth and temperature of the water are dependent variables.

False. The depth and temperature of the water are control variables, kept constant; the independent variable is frequency and the dependent variable is wavelength.

GCSEScienceAQACombined Science: TrilogyPhysicsFlashcardsWavesWaves in Air, Fluids & Solids

Waves in Air, Fluids & Solids (AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy: Physics): Flashcards

Exam code: 8464

1/35

0Still learning

Know0

FrontTransverse & Longitudinal Waves
Define transverse wave.

Was this flashcard helpful?

Cards in this collection (35)

Define transverse wave.
A transverse wave is a wave which vibrates at right angles to the direction of energy transfer.
Define longitudinal wave.
A longitudinal wave is a wave which vibrates parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
What do both transverse and longitudinal waves transfer, and what do they not transfer?
Both types of wave transfer energy, but they do not transfer matter (the particles of the medium do not travel with the wave).
On a transverse wave, the highest point above the rest position is called a ______.
On a transverse wave, the highest point above the rest position is called a peak (or crest).
True or False?
Longitudinal waves can travel through a vacuum.
False.
Longitudinal waves cannot travel through a vacuum, since there are no particles present to vibrate.
Give two examples of a transverse wave and two examples of a longitudinal wave.
Transverse: ripples on the surface of water, vibrations on a guitar string, S-waves, electromagnetic waves.
Longitudinal: sound waves, P-waves, pressure waves caused by repeated movements in a liquid or gas.
Which media can mechanical transverse waves travel through, and which can they not travel through?
Mechanical transverse waves can travel through solids and on the surfaces of liquids, but cannot travel inside liquids or gases.
How are longitudinal waves represented in a diagram?
Longitudinal waves are drawn as several lines parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Lines drawn closer together represent compressions; lines drawn further apart represent rarefactions.
On a wavefront diagram, what does the spacing between the lines represent, and what does the arrow represent?
The space between the lines represents the wavelength. The arrow shows the direction the wave is moving, and is sometimes called a ray.
Define amplitude.
Amplitude is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave. It is given the symbol A and measured in metres (m).
Define wavelength.
Wavelength is the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave. It is given the symbol λ and measured in metres (m).
Define frequency.
Frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second. It is given the symbol f and measured in hertz (Hz).
Define time period.
The time period of a wave is the time taken for a single wave to pass a point (or one full cycle of a wave). It is given the symbol T and measured in seconds (s).
How is wavelength measured differently in a transverse wave compared to a longitudinal wave?
In a transverse wave, wavelength is measured from one peak to the next peak. In a longitudinal wave, wavelength is measured from the centre of one compression to the centre of the next.
Waves with a higher frequency transfer a higher amount of ______.
Waves with a higher frequency transfer a higher amount of energy.
True or False?
Time period, T, is calculated as the inverse of frequency, f.
True.
$T = \frac{1}{f}$
The time period is just the inverse of the frequency.
Define wave speed.
Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave each second. It is given the symbol v and measured in metres per second (m/s).
State the wave equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
$v = f λ$
Where v = wave speed (m/s), f = frequency (Hz) and λ = wavelength (m).
Do transverse and longitudinal waves both obey the wave equation v = fλ?
Yes. Both transverse and longitudinal waves obey the wave equation.
Wave speed is the speed at which ______ is transferred through a medium.
Wave speed is the speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.
True or False?
If wave speed and frequency are known, wavelength can be found by dividing wave speed by frequency.
True.
Rearranging v = fλ gives λ = v ÷ f.
A wave has a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a wave speed of 0.15 m/s. Calculate its wavelength.
λ = v ÷ f
λ = 0.15 ÷ 0.5
Wavelength, λ = 0.30 m
Describe how the speed of sound can be measured directly between two points.
Two people stand about 100 m apart (distance measured with a trundle wheel). One person bangs two wooden blocks together above their head; the second starts a stopwatch when they see this and stops it when they hear the sound. This is repeated and averaged, then speed = distance ÷ time.
Describe how the speed of sound can be measured using echoes.
A person stands about 50 m from a wall and claps two wooden blocks in rhythm with the echoes. A second person times 20 claps with a stopwatch. The total distance travelled is (20 × 2 × 50) m, so speed = distance ÷ time.
Describe how the speed of sound can be measured using an oscilloscope and two microphones.
Two microphones are placed about 5 m apart (measured with a tape measure) and connected to an oscilloscope, which triggers when the first microphone detects a sound. A loud clap is made next to the first microphone, and the oscilloscope shows the time difference between the sound arriving at each microphone. This is repeated and averaged, then speed = distance ÷ time.
Describe how wave speed can be measured in water using ripples.
Two people stand a few metres apart with a tape measure. One person disturbs the water surface to create a ripple; the second times how long it takes the ripple to reach them with a stopwatch. This is repeated ten times and an average time calculated, then speed = distance ÷ time.
In each method for measuring wave speed, the speed is calculated by dividing the ______ travelled by the time taken.
In each method for measuring wave speed, the speed is calculated by dividing the distance travelled by the time taken.
True or False?
In the echo method for measuring the speed of sound, the total distance travelled during 20 claps is (20 × 2 × 50) m, where 50 m is the distance to the wall.
True.
Each clap-to-echo journey covers twice the distance to the wall (2 × 50 m), so for 20 claps the total distance is (20 × 2 × 50) m.
In the ripple tank experiment to measure wave properties, what are the independent and dependent variables?
Independent variable = frequency, f. Dependent variable = wavelength, λ.
How is the wavelength of the water waves determined in the ripple tank experiment?
By using a ruler to measure the length of the screen and dividing this distance by the number of wavefronts.
How is the frequency of the water waves determined in the ripple tank experiment?
By timing how long it takes for a given number of waves to pass a particular point, then dividing the number of wavefronts by the time taken.
In the vibrating string experiment, the frequency of the signal generator is adjusted until a ______ wave is produced.
In the vibrating string experiment, the frequency of the signal generator is adjusted until a stationary wave is produced.
How can a stroboscope improve the accuracy of measuring waves in these experiments?
A stroboscope flashed at the same frequency as the waves makes them appear stationary, so the wavefronts are easier to identify and the wavelength and frequency easier to measure accurately.
Give some safety precautions that should be taken in the waves-in-a-solid experiment.
Use a rubber string instead of a metal wire, in case it snaps under tension. Wear safety goggles. Stand well away from the masses in case they fall. Place a crash mat under the masses.
True or False?
In the ripple tank experiment, the depth and temperature of the water are dependent variables.
False.
The depth and temperature of the water are control variables, kept constant; the independent variable is frequency and the dependent variable is wavelength.

Sign up to unlock flashcards

By signing up you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Previous:MomentumNext:Electromagnetic Waves