Waves AQA

• What is the direction of propagation for transverse waves?


  Travels forward
• What is the relationship between wavelength and wave propagation?

  • Wavelength is the distance between consecutive crests or troughs of a wave
  • Wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency of the wave
  • Wavelength determines the direction of wave propagation
• What is the definition of a transverse wave?

  Transverse waves are those waves in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of the wave.
• What unit is used to measure wavelength?

  meters
• Compare and contrast the properties of transverse and longitudinal waves.

  • Transverse Waves:
  • Particle movement: Perpendicular to wave direction
  • Wave shape: Crests and troughs

  
  

  • Longitudinal Waves:
  • Particle movement: Parallel to wave direction
  • Wave shape: Compressions and rarefactions
• How do particles in transverse waves move?

  They move perpendicular to wave direction
• What shapes characterize longitudinal waves?

  Compressions and rarefactions
• How do the particle movements in transverse waves differ from those in longitudinal waves?

  Particles in transverse waves move perpendicular to wave direction
• What is the definition of a longitudinal wave?

  Longitudinal waves are those waves in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the propagation of the wave.
• What are the characteristics of longitudinal waves?

  • Particle movement: Parallel to wave direction
  • Direction of propagation: Travels forward
  • Examples: Sound waves
• What are the key differences between longitudinal and transverse waves?

  • Longitudinal waves: Particles move parallel to wave propagation
  • Transverse waves: Particles move perpendicular to wave propagation
  • Examples of longitudinal waves: Sound waves
  • Examples of transverse waves: Ripples on water, electromagnetic waves
• How does the wavelength relate to the frequency and speed of a wave?

  Wavelength equals wave speed divided by frequency
• What type of graph is shown in the image?

  Sine wave
• What shapes characterize transverse waves?

  Crests and troughs
• If the wavelength of a wave increases, what happens to its frequency?

  The frequency decreases
• What is the main difference in particle movement between transverse and longitudinal waves?

  Transverse waves move perpendicular; longitudinal waves move parallel
• If the wavelength of the wave shown is 2 meters, what is the frequency of the wave?

  Unknown
• What is the definition of amplitude in transverse waves?

  Maximum displacement
• What are the key characteristics of a sine wave?

  • Periodic function
  • Oscillates between positive and negative values
  • Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the midline
  • Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs
  • Frequency is the number of cycles per unit time
• What is the definition of period in transverse waves?

  Time for one wave
• What is the definition of frequency in transverse waves?

  Number of waves per second
• What is the purpose of a sine wave?

  To represent periodic oscillations or vibrations
• What unit is used to measure frequency?

  Hz
• What unit is used to measure amplitude?

  meters
• What is the definition of wavelength in transverse waves?

  Distance between two crests
• What type of wave is represented in this image?

  Longitudinal wave
• What unit is used to measure period?

  seconds
• How is a sine wave mathematically represented?

  The equation for a sine wave is:

  $y =$$A \sin(2\pi f t + \phi)$

  Where:

  • A is the amplitude
  • f is the frequency
  • t is the time
  • φ is the phase shift
• How could the information in this image be used to explain the propagation of sound waves?

  The compressions and rarefactions represent the alternating regions of high and low pressure that allow sound waves to propagate through a medium
• What is the relationship between frequency and period?

  Frequency is the inverse of period
• What do compressions in longitudinal waves represent?

  Regions of high density
• What does the wave's amplitude measure?

  Maximum particle displacement
• What unit is used to measure wave speed?

  m/s
• What does the sinusoidal/wave-like shape of the graph represent?

  • The periodic/oscillating nature of the displacement over time
  • The back-and-forth motion or change in direction of travel
• What is the relationship between electromagnetic radiation and transverse waves?

  Electromagnetic radiation consists of transverse waves
• What are the two main regions in longitudinal waves?

  Compressions and rarefactions
• What is the relationship between frequency and period in waves?

  Frequency equals one divided by the period
• What does the graph in the image represent?

  The relationship between displacement and direction of travel
• What is the definition of wave speed in transverse waves?

  How fast wave travels
• How is wavelength defined in longitudinal waves?

  Distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions