Define the term wave .

A wave is a repeated oscillation (or vibration) about a fixed point that transfers energy and information without transferring matter .

Waves transfer energy and information without transferring ______ .

Waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter .

How do water particles move when a ripple passes, and how do air particles move when a sound wave passes?

Water particles oscillate up and down as a ripple passes. Air particles vibrate back and forth as a sound wave passes.

A toy duck bobs up and down on the water's surface as waves pass beneath it, but does not travel across the pond. What does this demonstrate about waves?

It demonstrates that waves transfer energy , not matter . The duck oscillates about a fixed position rather than moving with the wave.

True or False? A floating duck travels along with a water wave as it passes.

False. The duck bobs up and down about a fixed position; only energy , not matter, moves with the wave.

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

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

Frequency ( f ) is the number of waves passing a point in a second, measured in hertz (Hz) .

Time period ( T ) is the time taken for a single wave to pass a point, measured in seconds (s) .

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

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

What does the spacing between wavefronts represent, and what does it mean if the wavefronts are close together?

The spacing between wavefronts represents the wavelength . Wavefronts close together represent a short wavelength (far apart represents a long wavelength).

True or False? Amplitude is measured from a wave's peak to its trough.

False. Amplitude is measured from the undisturbed position to a peak or trough, not from peak to trough.

Define transverse wave .

A transverse wave is a wave where the points along its length vibrate at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer.

Define longitudinal wave .

A longitudinal wave is a wave where the points along its length vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Through which materials can transverse waves travel, and which type of transverse wave can also travel through a vacuum?

Transverse waves can travel through solids and along the surfaces of liquids . Electromagnetic waves (a type of transverse wave) can also travel through a vacuum .

Why can longitudinal waves not travel through a vacuum?

Longitudinal waves transfer energy by particles vibrating parallel to the direction of energy transfer, and a vacuum contains no particles to vibrate.

In a longitudinal wave, points close together are called ______ , and points spaced apart are called ______ .

In a longitudinal wave, points close together are called compressions , and points spaced apart are called rarefactions .

True or False? All transverse waves can travel through a vacuum.

False. Only electromagnetic waves (a type of transverse wave) can travel through a vacuum; other transverse waves cannot.

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

Transverse: ripples on water , electromagnetic waves (e.g. light, radio, X-rays), S-waves, guitar string vibrations. Longitudinal: sound waves , P-waves , pressure waves in a liquid or gas.

Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave each second, measured in metres per second (m/s) .

True or False? If wavelength is measured in centimetres, wave speed should also be calculated in cm/s to keep units consistent.

True. Units must match throughout a calculation. If wavelength is in cm, wave speed should be calculated in cm/s (or the wavelength converted to metres first).

How many hertz is 2 kilohertz equal to?

2 kHz = 2000 Hz (since 1 kHz = 1000 Hz).

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

Two people stand a measured distance apart (e.g. 100 m, using a trundle wheel ). One bangs two wooden blocks together; the other starts a stopwatch on seeing the blocks bang and stops it on hearing the sound. Repeat and average the time, then use speed = distance ÷ time.

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

A person stands a measured distance from a wall (e.g. 50 m) and claps two wooden blocks in rhythm with the echo. A second person times 20 claps with a stopwatch. The total distance travelled is 20 × 2 × 50 m, used with the time to calculate speed.

Describe how an oscilloscope can be used to measure the speed of sound.

Two microphones are placed a measured distance apart (e.g. 5 m) and connected to an oscilloscope . A clap near the first microphone triggers the oscilloscope, which shows the time difference between the sound reaching each microphone. Speed = distance ÷ time difference.

Which method for measuring the speed of sound is the most accurate, and why?

The oscilloscope method is the most accurate, because the timing is done automatically , removing human reaction-time error.

Describe how the speed of ripples on a water surface can be measured.

Two people stand a measured distance apart (using a tape measure ) on a calm water surface. One disturbs the surface to create a ripple; the other times how long it takes to reach them with a stopwatch . Repeat and average, then use speed = distance ÷ time.

A manual stopwatch can introduce a timing variation of up to ______ seconds due to reaction time.

A manual stopwatch can introduce a timing variation of up to 0.2 seconds due to reaction time.

True or False? Banging wooden blocks together and timing the sound between two people 100 m apart is the most accurate way to measure the speed of sound.

False. This method is the least accurate, because the time interval measured is very short, so reaction-time errors have a large effect.

Refraction occurs when a wave crosses a boundary between two materials of different densities, which can cause the wave to change direction.

What happens to a light ray as it travels from air into glass (less dense to more dense)?

The light ray bends towards the normal.

What happens to a light ray as it travels from glass into air (more dense to less dense)?

The light ray bends away from the normal.

When light passes into a denser substance, the rays will ______ , causing them to bend towards the normal.

When light passes into a denser substance, the rays will slow down , causing them to bend towards the normal.

Which properties of light change during refraction, and which stays the same?

Speed and wavelength change during refraction, but the frequency of the light does not change.

True or False? Light changes colour when it refracts.

False. A light wave's colour depends on its frequency , and frequency does not change during refraction, so the colour stays the same.

Why does a wave's speed change when it crosses into a different medium?

Because different parts of the wave enter the new medium at different times .

What directly causes a refracting wave to bend (change direction)?

The difference in speed between the parts of the wave still in the first medium and the parts already in the second medium.

Refraction can be represented using ______ diagrams, which show how a wave bends as it enters a new medium.

Refraction can be represented using wavefront diagrams, which show how a wave bends as it enters a new medium.

True or False? A wave changes direction first, and this then causes its speed to change.

False. The speed change happens first, since different parts of the wave enter the new medium at different times. This difference in speed is what then causes the wave to change direction .

List the four possible interactions that can occur when a wave moves from one medium to another.

Transmitted , absorbed , reflected or refracted .

Materials interact differently with waves depending on their ______ .

Materials interact differently with waves depending on their wavelength .

How does glass interact with visible light ?

Glass transmits and/or refracts visible light.

True or False? A material's interaction with a wave is independent of the wave's wavelength.

False. Different wavelengths interact differently with a material. For example, glass transmits/refracts visible light but absorbs UV radiation and reflects IR radiation.

What equation links wave speed, frequency and wavelength?

Wave speed = frequency × wavelength , or v = f λ.

In the ripple tank experiment, how is wavelength determined?

Measure the length of the screen with a ruler and divide this distance by the number of wavefronts.

In the ripple tank experiment, how is frequency determined?

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

What are the independent and dependent variables in the ripple tank and vibrating string experiments?

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

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.

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Properties of Waves (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science: Physics): Flashcards

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FrontIntroduction to Waves
Define the term wave.

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Cards in this collection (58)

Define the term wave.
A wave is a repeated oscillation (or vibration) about a fixed point that transfers energy and information without transferring matter.
Waves transfer energy and information without transferring ______.
Waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter.
How do water particles move when a ripple passes, and how do air particles move when a sound wave passes?
Water particles oscillate up and down as a ripple passes. Air particles vibrate back and forth as a sound wave passes.
A toy duck bobs up and down on the water's surface as waves pass beneath it, but does not travel across the pond. What does this demonstrate about waves?
It demonstrates that waves transfer energy, not matter. The duck oscillates about a fixed position rather than moving with the wave.
True or False?
A floating duck travels along with a water wave as it passes.
False.
The duck bobs up and down about a fixed position; only energy, not matter, moves with the wave.
Define amplitude.
Amplitude (A) is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave, measured in metres (m).
Define wavelength.
Wavelength (λ) is the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave, measured in metres (m).
Define frequency.
Frequency (f) is the number of waves passing a point in a second, measured in hertz (Hz).
Define time period.
Time period (T) is the time taken for a single wave to pass a point, measured in seconds (s).
State the equation relating frequency and time period.
$f = \frac{1}{T}$
In a longitudinal wave, the wavelength is measured from the centre of one ______ to the centre of the next.
In a longitudinal wave, the wavelength is measured from the centre of one compression to the centre of the next.
What does the spacing between wavefronts represent, and what does it mean if the wavefronts are close together?
The spacing between wavefronts represents the wavelength. Wavefronts close together represent a short wavelength (far apart represents a long wavelength).
True or False?
Amplitude is measured from a wave's peak to its trough.
False.
Amplitude is measured from the undisturbed position to a peak or trough, not from peak to trough.
Define transverse wave.
A transverse wave is a wave where the points along its length vibrate at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer.
Define longitudinal wave.
A longitudinal wave is a wave where the points along its length vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Through which materials can transverse waves travel, and which type of transverse wave can also travel through a vacuum?
Transverse waves can travel through solids and along the surfaces of liquids. Electromagnetic waves (a type of transverse wave) can also travel through a vacuum.
Why can longitudinal waves not travel through a vacuum?
Longitudinal waves transfer energy by particles vibrating parallel to the direction of energy transfer, and a vacuum contains no particles to vibrate.
In a longitudinal wave, points close together are called ______, and points spaced apart are called ______.
In a longitudinal wave, points close together are called compressions, and points spaced apart are called rarefactions.
True or False?
All transverse waves can travel through a vacuum.
False.
Only electromagnetic waves (a type of transverse wave) can travel through a vacuum; other transverse waves cannot.
Give two examples of a transverse wave and two examples of a longitudinal wave.
Transverse: ripples on water, electromagnetic waves (e.g. light, radio, X-rays), S-waves, guitar string vibrations. Longitudinal: sound waves, P-waves, pressure waves in a liquid or gas.
Define wave speed.
Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave each second, measured in metres per second (m/s).
State the wave equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
$v = f \times λ$
A wave has a time period of 2 seconds. Calculate its frequency.
$f = \frac{1}{T} = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5 Hz$
A wave has a speed of 0.15 m/s and a frequency of 0.5 Hz. Calculate its wavelength.
$λ = \frac{v}{f} = \frac{0.15}{0.5} = 0.30 m$
True or False?
If wavelength is measured in centimetres, wave speed should also be calculated in cm/s to keep units consistent.
True.
Units must match throughout a calculation. If wavelength is in cm, wave speed should be calculated in cm/s (or the wavelength converted to metres first).
How many hertz is 2 kilohertz equal to?
2 kHz = 2000 Hz (since 1 kHz = 1000 Hz).
Describe how the speed of sound in air can be measured directly between two points.
Two people stand a measured distance apart (e.g. 100 m, using a trundle wheel). One bangs two wooden blocks together; the other starts a stopwatch on seeing the blocks bang and stops it on hearing the sound. Repeat and average the time, then use speed = distance ÷ time.
Describe how the speed of sound in air can be measured using echoes.
A person stands a measured distance from a wall (e.g. 50 m) and claps two wooden blocks in rhythm with the echo. A second person times 20 claps with a stopwatch. The total distance travelled is 20 × 2 × 50 m, used with the time to calculate speed.
Describe how an oscilloscope can be used to measure the speed of sound.
Two microphones are placed a measured distance apart (e.g. 5 m) and connected to an oscilloscope. A clap near the first microphone triggers the oscilloscope, which shows the time difference between the sound reaching each microphone. Speed = distance ÷ time difference.
Which method for measuring the speed of sound is the most accurate, and why?
The oscilloscope method is the most accurate, because the timing is done automatically, removing human reaction-time error.
Describe how the speed of ripples on a water surface can be measured.
Two people stand a measured distance apart (using a tape measure) on a calm water surface. One disturbs the surface to create a ripple; the other times how long it takes to reach them with a stopwatch. Repeat and average, then use speed = distance ÷ time.
A manual stopwatch can introduce a timing variation of up to ______ seconds due to reaction time.
A manual stopwatch can introduce a timing variation of up to 0.2 seconds due to reaction time.
True or False?
Banging wooden blocks together and timing the sound between two people 100 m apart is the most accurate way to measure the speed of sound.
False.
This method is the least accurate, because the time interval measured is very short, so reaction-time errors have a large effect.
Define refraction.
Refraction occurs when a wave crosses a boundary between two materials of different densities, which can cause the wave to change direction.
What happens to a light ray as it travels from air into glass (less dense to more dense)?
The light ray bends towards the normal.
What happens to a light ray as it travels from glass into air (more dense to less dense)?
The light ray bends away from the normal.
What happens to a light ray travelling along the normal at a boundary?
It does not bend at all.
When light passes into a denser substance, the rays will ______, causing them to bend towards the normal.
When light passes into a denser substance, the rays will slow down, causing them to bend towards the normal.
Which properties of light change during refraction, and which stays the same?
Speed and wavelength change during refraction, but the frequency of the light does not change.
True or False?
Light changes colour when it refracts.
False.
A light wave's colour depends on its frequency, and frequency does not change during refraction, so the colour stays the same.
Why does a wave's speed change when it crosses into a different medium?
Because different parts of the wave enter the new medium at different times.
What directly causes a refracting wave to bend (change direction)?
The difference in speed between the parts of the wave still in the first medium and the parts already in the second medium.
Refraction can be represented using ______ diagrams, which show how a wave bends as it enters a new medium.
Refraction can be represented using wavefront diagrams, which show how a wave bends as it enters a new medium.
True or False?
A wave changes direction first, and this then causes its speed to change.
False.
The speed change happens first, since different parts of the wave enter the new medium at different times. This difference in speed is what then causes the wave to change direction.
List the four possible interactions that can occur when a wave moves from one medium to another.
Transmitted, absorbed, reflected or refracted.
Materials interact differently with waves depending on their ______.
Materials interact differently with waves depending on their wavelength.
How does glass interact with visible light?
Glass transmits and/or refracts visible light.
How does glass interact with UV radiation?
Glass absorbs UV radiation.
How does glass interact with infrared (IR) radiation?
Glass reflects IR radiation.
True or False?
A material's interaction with a wave is independent of the wave's wavelength.
False.
Different wavelengths interact differently with a material. For example, glass transmits/refracts visible light but absorbs UV radiation and reflects IR radiation.
What equation links wave speed, frequency and wavelength?
Wave speed = frequency × wavelength, or v = fλ.
In the ripple tank experiment, how is wavelength determined?
Measure the length of the screen with a ruler and divide this distance by the number of wavefronts.
In the ripple tank experiment, how is frequency determined?
Time how long it takes for a given number of waves to pass a particular point, then divide the number of wavefronts by the time taken.
What are the independent and dependent variables in the ripple tank and vibrating string experiments?
Independent variable = frequency, f. Dependent variable = wavelength, λ.
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 be used to improve accuracy when observing wavefronts?
Match its flashing frequency to that of the waves so the waves appear stationary, making the frequency and wavelength easier to determine.
State two safety precautions specific to the vibrating string experiment.
Any two from: use a rubber string rather than a metal wire in case it snaps, wear safety goggles, stand away from the masses, or place a crash mat under the masses.
True or False?
The accuracy of a frequency measurement in the ripple tank is best improved by measuring over a very short time period.
False.
Accuracy is improved by measuring over a longer time period (e.g. a minute) and dividing the number of waves by the time taken.

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