Define wavelength ( λ ).

The distance between a point on a wave and the same point on the next cycle of the wave, e.g. two crests or two troughs.

Define amplitude ( A ).

The magnitude of the maximum displacement reached by an oscillation in the wave.

The time taken for one complete oscillation at one point on the wave.

What is meant by the frequency of a wave?

The number of complete wave cycles per second.

Wave speed c is the rate of .......... of the wave.

Wave speed c is the rate of movement of the wave.

Define wave speed ( v ), as used in the wave equation.

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium, measured in m s -1 .

For a wave of constant speed, as the wavelength increases, the frequency .......... .

For a wave of constant speed, as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases .

Define a longitudinal wave .

A wave in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation and the direction of energy transfer.

Define a compression .

A region of high pressure in a longitudinal wave.

Define a rarefaction .

A region of low pressure in a longitudinal wave.

In a longitudinal wave, how do the particles oscillate relative to the direction of energy transfer?

Parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Give three examples of longitudinal waves.

Sound waves Ultrasound waves P-waves caused by earthquakes

In a longitudinal wave, areas of low pressure are called .......... .

In a longitudinal wave, areas of low pressure are called rarefactions .

True or False? Longitudinal waves can be polarised.

False. Only transverse waves can be polarised; longitudinal waves cannot.

Define a transverse wave .

A wave in which the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation and the direction of energy transfer.

In a transverse wave, how do the particles oscillate relative to the direction of energy transfer?

Perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

Give three examples of transverse waves.

Electromagnetic waves, e.g. radio, visible light, UV Vibrations on a guitar string Waves on a rope or slinky

Can transverse waves be polarised?

Yes, transverse waves can be polarised.

A transverse wave shows areas of .......... (peaks) and troughs.

A transverse wave shows areas of crests (peaks) and troughs.

True or False? Transverse waves show areas of compression and rarefaction.

False. Compressions and rarefactions are features of longitudinal waves; transverse waves show crests and troughs instead.

Define a stationary wave .

A wave formed when a wave is reflected with a 180 o phase difference, creating a wave with a series of nodes and antinodes.

How is wavelength measured on a displacement-distance graph?

From one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave, e.g. two consecutive crests or troughs.

On a pressure-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, where is pressure highest and where is it lowest?

Highest at compressions , lowest at rarefactions .

On a displacement-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, where does maximum displacement occur?

Halfway between a compression and a rarefaction.

On a displacement-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, zero displacement occurs at compressions and .......... .

On a displacement-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, zero displacement occurs at compressions and rarefactions .

True or False? A sinusoidal-shaped graph must represent a transverse wave.

False. Longitudinal waves can also look sinusoidal when plotted on a graph — check whether the wave travels parallel (longitudinal) or perpendicular (transverse) to the direction of travel.

What is the aim of Core Practical 4?

To measure the speed of sound in air between two points, using an oscilloscope and a signal generator.

What is the independent variable in Core Practical 4?

The distance between the microphone and the signal generator.

Give one control variable in Core Practical 4.

Any one from: Same location for the experiment Same set of microphones for each trial Same frequency of sound for each set of readings

Why is frequency determined from the oscilloscope trace rather than read from the signal generator's dial?

To avoid relying on the accuracy of the signal generator's dial, which is a source of systematic error .

To reduce random error, the distance between the microphone and the signal generator should be made as large as .......... .

To reduce random error, the distance between the microphone and the signal generator should be made as large as is practical .

True or False? Reaction time is a significant source of error in Core Practical 4.

False. The timing is done automatically by the oscilloscope, so reaction time is not a factor, making this experiment very accurate.

International A Level (IAL)PhysicsEdexcelFlashcards2. Waves & ElectricityTransverse & Longitudinal Waves

Transverse & Longitudinal Waves (Edexcel International A Level (IAL) Physics): Flashcards

Exam code: YPH11

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FrontProperties of Waves
Define wavelength (λ).

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Cards in this collection (39)

Define wavelength (λ).
The distance between a point on a wave and the same point on the next cycle of the wave, e.g. two crests or two troughs.
Define amplitude (A).
The magnitude of the maximum displacement reached by an oscillation in the wave.
Define period (T).
The time taken for one complete oscillation at one point on the wave.
What is meant by the frequency of a wave?
The number of complete wave cycles per second.
How are frequency f and period T related?
$f = \frac{1}{T}$
Wave speed c is the rate of .......... of the wave.
Wave speed c is the rate of movement of the wave.
True or False?
Frequency and period are directly proportional.
False.
Frequency and period are inversely related, according to $f = \frac{1}{T}$ — as period increases, frequency decreases.
State the wave equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
$v = f λ$
where v = wave speed (m s^-1), f = frequency (Hz), λ = wavelength (m)
A wave has a frequency of 500 Hz and travels at 340 m s^-1. What is its wavelength?
$λ = \frac{v}{f} = \frac{340}{500}$
λ = 0.68 m
For a wave of constant speed, what happens to the frequency as the wavelength decreases?
The frequency increases.
Define wave speed (v), as used in the wave equation.
The speed at which a wave travels through a medium, measured in m s^-1.
For a wave of constant speed, as the wavelength increases, the frequency ...........
For a wave of constant speed, as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases.
True or False?
For a wave of constant speed, wavelength and frequency are directly proportional.
False.
They are inversely proportional — as one increases, the other decreases, since $v = f λ$ is fixed.
Define a longitudinal wave.
A wave in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation and the direction of energy transfer.
Define a compression.
A region of high pressure in a longitudinal wave.
Define a rarefaction.
A region of low pressure in a longitudinal wave.
In a longitudinal wave, how do the particles oscillate relative to the direction of energy transfer?
Parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Give three examples of longitudinal waves.
- Sound waves
- Ultrasound waves
- P-waves caused by earthquakes
In a longitudinal wave, areas of low pressure are called ...........
In a longitudinal wave, areas of low pressure are called rarefactions.
True or False?
Longitudinal waves can be polarised.
False.
Only transverse waves can be polarised; longitudinal waves cannot.
Define a transverse wave.
A wave in which the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation and the direction of energy transfer.
In a transverse wave, how do the particles oscillate relative to the direction of energy transfer?
Perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
Give three examples of transverse waves.
- Electromagnetic waves, e.g. radio, visible light, UV
- Vibrations on a guitar string
- Waves on a rope or slinky
Can transverse waves be polarised?
Yes, transverse waves can be polarised.
A transverse wave shows areas of .......... (peaks) and troughs.
A transverse wave shows areas of crests (peaks) and troughs.
True or False?
Transverse waves show areas of compression and rarefaction.
False.
Compressions and rarefactions are features of longitudinal waves; transverse waves show crests and troughs instead.
Define a stationary wave.
A wave formed when a wave is reflected with a 180^o phase difference, creating a wave with a series of nodes and antinodes.
How is wavelength measured on a displacement-distance graph?
From one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave, e.g. two consecutive crests or troughs.
On a pressure-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, where is pressure highest and where is it lowest?
Highest at compressions, lowest at rarefactions.
On a displacement-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, where does maximum displacement occur?
Halfway between a compression and a rarefaction.
On a displacement-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, zero displacement occurs at compressions and ...........
On a displacement-distance graph of a longitudinal wave, zero displacement occurs at compressions and rarefactions.
True or False?
A sinusoidal-shaped graph must represent a transverse wave.
False.
Longitudinal waves can also look sinusoidal when plotted on a graph — check whether the wave travels parallel (longitudinal) or perpendicular (transverse) to the direction of travel.
What is the aim of Core Practical 4?
To measure the speed of sound in air between two points, using an oscilloscope and a signal generator.
What is the independent variable in Core Practical 4?
The distance between the microphone and the signal generator.
Give one control variable in Core Practical 4.
Any one from:
- Same location for the experiment
- Same set of microphones for each trial
- Same frequency of sound for each set of readings
Which equation is used to calculate the speed of sound in Core Practical 4?
$v = f λ$
Why is frequency determined from the oscilloscope trace rather than read from the signal generator's dial?
To avoid relying on the accuracy of the signal generator's dial, which is a source of systematic error.
To reduce random error, the distance between the microphone and the signal generator should be made as large as ...........
To reduce random error, the distance between the microphone and the signal generator should be made as large as is practical.
True or False?
Reaction time is a significant source of error in Core Practical 4.
False.
The timing is done automatically by the oscilloscope, so reaction time is not a factor, making this experiment very accurate.

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