Define the term amplitude .

Amplitude is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave.

Wavelength is the distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave.

Define the term frequency .

Frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second.

Define the term wave speed .

Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels.

A wavefront is a way of picturing waves as if from above, where each wavefront represents the peak of a single wave.

What is a ripple tank used for?

A ripple tank is used to demonstrate wave motion.

What are the units of amplitude?

The units of amplitude are metres (m).

What are the units of wave speed?

The units of wave speed are metres per second (m/s).

True or False? The units of frequency are hertz (Hz).

True. The units of frequency are hertz (Hz)

What are the units for wavelength?

The units for wavelength are metres (m).

Define the term transverse wave.

A transverse wave is a wave where the oscillations are at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of energy transfer.

What are three examples of transverse waves?

Examples of transverse waves include: ripples on the surface of water vibrations on a guitar string S-waves (secondary seismic waves) electromagnetic waves

Define the term longitudinal wave.

A longitudinal wave is a wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

What are three examples of longitudinal waves?

Examples of longitudinal waves are: sound waves P-waves (primary seismic waves) pressure waves in liquids or gases

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

False. Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel through, so they cannot travel in a vacuum since there are no particles in a vacuum.

What is the name for the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together ?

In a longitudinal wave, the area where the particles are close together is called a compression .

What is the name for the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spaced far apart?

In a longitudinal wave, the area where the particles are spaced far apart is called a rarefaction .

True or False? Visible light is an example of a transverse wave.

True. Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. All electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.

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

True. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves and they can travel through a vacuum. However, other types of transverse waves such as water waves and S-waves are mechanical waves that require a medium.

What is the key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

The key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the direction of the vibrations with respect to the direction of the energy transfer . For transverse waves, the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, while for longitudinal waves, the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

True or False? The highest point above the rest position of a transverse wave is called the peak of the wave.

True. The highest point above the rest position of a transverse wave is called the peak or the crest of the wave.

What is the name of the lowest point below the rest position of a transverse wave?

The name of the lowest point below the rest position of a transverse wave is the trough .

Define reflection of a wave.

Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary between two media and does not pass through, but instead stays in the original medium. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection .

Define refraction of a wave.

Refraction occurs when a wave passes a boundary between two different transparent media and undergoes a change in direction , due to a change in speed.

Define diffraction of a wave.

Diffraction occurs when a wave passes through a narrow gap, or past an edge, and spreads out .

Describe what happens to a wave's wavelength and direction during refraction when it slows down, and when it speeds up.

Slows down : wavelength decreases ; the wave turns towards the normal. Speeds up : wavelength increases ; the wave turns away from the normal.

Diffraction is most noticeable when the size of the gap is ______ the wavelength of the wave.

Diffraction is most noticeable when the size of the gap is smaller than (or similar to) the wavelength of the wave.

What happens to diffraction as the size of a gap is increased relative to the wavelength?

The diffraction effect becomes less pronounced . Once the gap is much larger than the wavelength, the waves no longer spread out at all.

True or False? The wavelength of a wave changes when it is diffracted.

False. The wavelength stays constant during both reflection and diffraction. Refraction is the only wave effect in which the wavelength changes.

How is reflection demonstrated in a ripple tank?

Water waves are directed at a plane (straight) surface, such as a wall or mirror, placed in the tank, and the reflected waves are observed.

How is refraction demonstrated in a ripple tank?

A glass block is placed below the water surface, covering only part of the tank floor, making the water shallower there. Since wave speed depends on depth, the ripples slow down over the block, modelling refraction from deep to shallow water.

How is diffraction through a gap demonstrated in a ripple tank?

Two small barriers are placed with a gap between them. As the water waves pass through the gap, they can be seen to spread out .

How is diffraction around an edge demonstrated in a ripple tank?

A small barrier is placed in the tank. As the water waves pass the edge of the barrier, they can be seen to spread out around it.

What effect does increasing the frequency of the ripple tank's motor have on the wavelength produced?

A higher frequency produces a shorter wavelength. A lower frequency produces a longer wavelength.

In a ripple tank, the water above the glass block is ______ , which causes the ripples to slow down.

In a ripple tank, the water above the glass block is shallower , which causes the ripples to slow down.

True or False? In a ripple tank, waves travel faster over the glass block than in the surrounding deeper water.

False. Waves travel slower over the shallower water above the glass block, since wave speed depends on depth .

O LevelPhysicsCambridge (CIE)Flashcards3. Waves3.1 General Properties of Waves

3.1 General Properties of Waves (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Physics): Flashcards

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FrontFeatures of Waves
Define the term amplitude.

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Cards in this collection (48)

Define the term amplitude.
Amplitude is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave.
What is wavelength?
Wavelength is the distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave.
Define the term frequency.
Frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second.
Define the term wave speed.
Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels.
What is a wavefront?
A wavefront is a way of picturing waves as if from above, where each wavefront represents the peak of a single wave.
What is a ripple tank used for?
A ripple tank is used to demonstrate wave motion.
What is the symbol used for amplitude?
The symbol used for amplitude is $A$ .
What are the units of amplitude?
The units of amplitude are metres (m).
Draw and label amplitude and wavelength on a diagram of a transverse wave.
Amplitude and wavelength drawn on a diagram of a transverse wave look like this:
Identify the wave property indicated by the arrow on the diagram.
The wave property indicated by the arrow on the diagram is time period.
What are the units of wave speed?
The units of wave speed are metres per second (m/s).
What is the symbol for wave speed?
The symbol for wave speed is $v$ .
True or False?
The symbol for frequency is $λ$ .
False.
The symbol for frequency is $f$ .
True or False?
The units of frequency are hertz (Hz).
True.
The units of frequency are hertz (Hz)
What are the units for wavelength?
The units for wavelength are metres (m).
What is the symbol for wavelength?
The symbol for wavelength is $λ$ .
State the wave equation in terms of wave speed.
The wave equation in terms of wave speed is $v = f λ$
Where:
- $v$ = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)
- $f$ = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
- $λ$ = wavelength, measured in metres (m)
True or False?
The wave speed equation in terms of wavelength is $λ = \frac{f}{v}$ .
False.
The wave speed equation in terms of wavelength is $λ = \frac{v}{f}$
Where:
- $λ$ = wavelength, measured in metres (m)
- $v$ = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)
- $f$ = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
True or False?
The wave speed equation in terms of frequency is $f = \frac{v}{λ}$ .
True.
The wave speed equation in terms of frequency is $f = \frac{v}{λ}$
Where:
- $f$ = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
- $v$ = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)
- $λ$ = wavelength, measured in metres (m)
What is the equation linking time period, $T$ and frequency, $f$ ?
The equation linking time period, $T$ and frequency, $f$ is:
$T = \frac{1}{f}$
Where:
- $T$ = time period, measured in seconds (s)
- $f$ = frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
Define the term transverse wave.
A transverse wave is a wave where the oscillations are at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of energy transfer.
What are three examples of transverse waves?
Examples of transverse waves include:
- ripples on the surface of water
- vibrations on a guitar string
- S-waves (secondary seismic waves)
- electromagnetic waves
Define the term longitudinal wave.
A longitudinal wave is a wave where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
What are three examples of longitudinal waves?
Examples of longitudinal waves are:
- sound waves
- P-waves (primary seismic waves)
- pressure waves in liquids or gases
True or False?
Longitudinal waves can travel in a vacuum.
False.
Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel through, so they cannot travel in a vacuum since there are no particles in a vacuum.
What is the name for the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are close together?
In a longitudinal wave, the area where the particles are close together is called a compression.
What is the name for the part of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spaced far apart?
In a longitudinal wave, the area where the particles are spaced far apart is called a rarefaction.
True or False?
Visible light is an example of a transverse wave.
True.
Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. All electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.
True or False?
Transverse waves can travel through a vacuum.
True.
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves and they can travel through a vacuum. However, other types of transverse waves such as water waves and S-waves are mechanical waves that require a medium.
What is the key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?
The key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the direction of the vibrations with respect to the direction of the energy transfer. For transverse waves, the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, while for longitudinal waves, the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
True or False?
The highest point above the rest position of a transverse wave is called the peak of the wave.
True.
The highest point above the rest position of a transverse wave is called the peak or the crest of the wave.
What is the name of the lowest point below the rest position of a transverse wave?
The name of the lowest point below the rest position of a transverse wave is the trough.
What type of wave is shown in the diagram?
The wave shown is a transverse wave because it oscillates at right angles of the direction of wave motion.
Sketch a longitudinal wave.
Include the following labels:
- direction of vibration
- direction of energy transfer
- compression
- rarefaction
A correctly labelled longitudinal wave is as follows:
Define reflection of a wave.
Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary between two media and does not pass through, but instead stays in the original medium. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
Define refraction of a wave.
Refraction occurs when a wave passes a boundary between two different transparent media and undergoes a change in direction, due to a change in speed.
Define diffraction of a wave.
Diffraction occurs when a wave passes through a narrow gap, or past an edge, and spreads out.
Describe what happens to a wave's wavelength and direction during refraction when it slows down, and when it speeds up.
Slows down: wavelength decreases; the wave turns towards the normal.
Speeds up: wavelength increases; the wave turns away from the normal.
Diffraction is most noticeable when the size of the gap is ______ the wavelength of the wave.
Diffraction is most noticeable when the size of the gap is smaller than (or similar to) the wavelength of the wave.
What happens to diffraction as the size of a gap is increased relative to the wavelength?
The diffraction effect becomes less pronounced. Once the gap is much larger than the wavelength, the waves no longer spread out at all.
True or False?
The wavelength of a wave changes when it is diffracted.
False.
The wavelength stays constant during both reflection and diffraction. Refraction is the only wave effect in which the wavelength changes.
How is reflection demonstrated in a ripple tank?
Water waves are directed at a plane (straight) surface, such as a wall or mirror, placed in the tank, and the reflected waves are observed.
How is refraction demonstrated in a ripple tank?
A glass block is placed below the water surface, covering only part of the tank floor, making the water shallower there. Since wave speed depends on depth, the ripples slow down over the block, modelling refraction from deep to shallow water.
How is diffraction through a gap demonstrated in a ripple tank?
Two small barriers are placed with a gap between them. As the water waves pass through the gap, they can be seen to spread out.
How is diffraction around an edge demonstrated in a ripple tank?
A small barrier is placed in the tank. As the water waves pass the edge of the barrier, they can be seen to spread out around it.
What effect does increasing the frequency of the ripple tank's motor have on the wavelength produced?
A higher frequency produces a shorter wavelength. A lower frequency produces a longer wavelength.
In a ripple tank, the water above the glass block is ______, which causes the ripples to slow down.
In a ripple tank, the water above the glass block is shallower, which causes the ripples to slow down.
True or False?
In a ripple tank, waves travel faster over the glass block than in the surrounding deeper water.
False.
Waves travel slower over the shallower water above the glass block, since wave speed depends on depth.

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