P6: Waves in Air, Fluids & Solids Physics GCSE

• What are the two types of waves?

  Transverse and longitudinal
• How are waves defined?

  As repeated vibrations that transfer energy
• How does energy transfer occur in waves?

  By parts of the wave knocking nearby parts
• What is the definition of transverse waves?

  Waves where points vibrate at 90 degrees
• What is the energy transfer direction in transverse waves?

  Perpendicular to wave motion
• Can transverse waves move in liquids?

  No, they cannot move inside liquids
• What types of waves can move in solids, liquids, and gases?

  Electromagnetic waves
• What is the highest point of a transverse wave called?

  The peak or crest
• What is the lowest point of a transverse wave called?

  The trough
• How can transverse waves be demonstrated?

  By moving a rope quickly up and down
• How are transverse waves represented in diagrams?

  As a continuous solid line
• What do the curves in a transverse wave diagram represent?

  The peaks and troughs of the wave
• What defines longitudinal waves?

  Points vibrate parallel to energy transfer
• What is the energy transfer direction in longitudinal waves?

  In the same direction as wave motion
• Can longitudinal waves move in a vacuum?

  No, they cannot move in a vacuum
• What are the key features of longitudinal waves?

  Compressions and rarefactions
• How can longitudinal waves be demonstrated?

  By moving a slinky quickly back and forth
• How are longitudinal waves represented in diagrams?

  As several lines showing wave motion
• What do closer lines in a longitudinal wave diagram represent?

  Compressions of the wave
• What do further apart lines in a longitudinal wave diagram represent?

  Rarefactions of the wave
• How can the different motions of transverse and longitudinal waves be shown?

  Using ropes for transverse and springs for longitudinal
• How can both types of waves be represented?

  As wavefronts viewed from above
• What does one line represent in a transverse wavefront?

  Either a peak or a trough
• What does one line represent in a longitudinal wavefront?

  Either a compression or a rarefaction
• What does the arrow in a wavefront diagram indicate?

  The direction the wave is moving
• What does the space between lines in a wavefront represent?

  The wavelength of the wave
• What does it mean when lines are close together in a wavefront?

  It indicates a short wavelength
• What does it mean when lines are far apart in a wavefront?

  It indicates a long wavelength
• How does a toy duck demonstrate that waves do not transfer matter?

  The duck moves up and down, not forward
• What happens to objects floating on water when waves pass?

  They bob up and down without moving
• What is amplitude defined as?

  The distance from undisturbed position to peak
• What is the symbol for amplitude?

  A
• How is amplitude measured?

  In metres (m)
• What is wavelength defined as?

  The distance from one point to the next wave
• How is wavelength measured in a transverse wave?

  From one peak to the next peak
• How is wavelength measured in a longitudinal wave?

  From the centre of one compression to the next
• What is the symbol for wavelength?

  λ (lambda)
• How is wavelength measured?

  In metres (m)
• What is frequency defined as?

  The number of waves passing a point per second
• What is the symbol for frequency?


  f