Introduction to waves

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Lesson notes

What are waves?

Waves transfer energy from one place to another.
Waves do not transfer matter – the particles vibrate but stay in position.

A toy duck bobbing up and down on water waves, illustrating that waves transfer energy but not matter.

Types of wave

There are two types: longitudinal and transverse.
Both types are caused by vibrations.

Transverse waves

The vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
Example: waves on a slinky moved side-to-side.
Key terms: displacement (distance from rest), wavelength (peak to peak), amplitude (maximum displacement).

Transverse wave motion in a rope: the vibration is at 90 degrees to the direction of wave motion and energy transfer, with the crest and trough labelled.

Longitudinal waves

The vibration is parallel to the direction of wave travel.
Example: waves on a slinky moved back-and-forth.
A compression is where particles are closest together.
A rarefaction is where particles are furthest apart.

Longitudinal wave motion in a spring, showing compression and rarefaction relative to the direction of wave motion and energy transfer.

Similarities and differences

Similarity: Both transfer energy and are caused by vibrations.
Difference: In transverse waves, vibration is perpendicular; in longitudinal, vibration is parallel.

Slides

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Practice questions

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1.Which of the following best describes what a wave transfers?
Easy
- AEnergy
- BMatter
- CBoth energy and matter
- DNeither energy nor matter
2.In a transverse wave, the direction of vibration is:
Easy
- Aperpendicular to the direction of wave travel
- Bparallel to the direction of wave travel
- Cthe same as the direction of wave travel
- Dopposite to the direction of wave travel
3.Which of the following is true about longitudinal waves?
Easy
- AThey transfer matter along the wave.
- BThe vibration is parallel to the direction of wave travel.
- CThey cannot travel through a medium.
- DThey have crests and troughs.
4.In a longitudinal wave, the region where particles are closest together is called a:
Easy
- Ararefaction
- Bcompression
- Ccrest
- Dtrough
5.In a longitudinal wave, the region where particles are furthest apart is called a:
Easy
- Acompression
- Brarefaction
- Camplitude
- Dwavelength
6.Which labelled part on a transverse wave diagram represents the maximum displacement from the rest position?
Easy
- AWavelength
- BAmplitude
- CCrest
- DTrough
7.The distance between two consecutive peaks on a transverse wave is called the:
Easy
- Aamplitude
- Bfrequency
- Cwavelength
- Dspeed
8.Both longitudinal and transverse waves are caused by:
Easy
- Avibrations
- Belectric fields
- Cmagnetic fields
- Dparticle movement

More questions

9.Which of the following statements is false?
Medium
- AA wave transfers energy without transferring matter.
- BIn a transverse wave, the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of travel.
- CIn a longitudinal wave, compressions and rarefactions are formed.
- DIn a transverse wave, the vibration is parallel to the direction of travel.
10.A student demonstrates a wave using a slinky. If the slinky is moved up and down, which type of wave is produced?
Easy
- ALongitudinal
- BTransverse
- CBoth
- DNeither
11.A student demonstrates a wave using a slinky. If the slinky is pushed and pulled along its length, which type of wave is produced?
Easy
- ATransverse
- BLongitudinal
- CBoth
- DNeither
12.In a longitudinal wave, what do compressions and rarefactions represent?
Medium
- ARegions of high and low energy
- BRegions of high and low particle density
- CRegions of high and low speed
- DRegions of high and low frequency
13.A student uses a slinky to create a wave by moving one end up and down. Which of the following correctly describes the motion of the coils?
Medium
- AThey vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
- BThey vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.
- CThey move in the same direction as the wave.
- DThey do not move at all.
14.A longitudinal wave has a frequency of 2 Hz and a wavelength of 0.5 m. What is its speed?
Medium
- A1 m/s
- B2 m/s
- C4 m/s
- D0.25 m/s
15.The diagram shows a transverse wave. Which letter represents the amplitude?
Easy
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
16.A wave has a speed of 340 m/s and a frequency of 170 Hz. What is its wavelength?
Medium
- A0.5 m
- B2 m
- C510 m
- D170 m
17.A student measures the distance between two consecutive compressions in a longitudinal wave as 0.2 m. What is the wavelength?
Medium
- A0.2 m
- B0.4 m
- C0.1 m
- D0.8 m
18.Which of the following is true about both longitudinal and transverse waves?
Medium
- AThey transfer matter.
- BThey are caused by vibrations.
- CThey have compressions and rarefactions.
- DThey only travel through solids.
19.A transverse wave has a wavelength of 2 m and a speed of 10 m/s. What is the time period of the wave?
Medium
- A0.2 s
- B5 s
- C20 s
- D0.5 s
20.A student creates a longitudinal wave in a slinky. Which of the following correctly describes the motion of a single coil?
Medium
- AIt moves up and down.
- BIt moves back and forth along the slinky.
- CIt moves in a circle.
- DIt stays stationary.
21.
The graph shows the displacement of a point on a wave over time. If the time period is 0.5 s, what is the frequency?
Time (s) Displacement (m)
0.0 0.0
0.125 1.0
0.25 0.0
0.375 -1.0
0.5 0.0
Medium
- A0.5 Hz
- B2 Hz
- C1 Hz
- D4 Hz
22.Which of the following is a difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?
Medium
- ALongitudinal waves transfer energy; transverse waves do not.
- BTransverse waves have vibrations perpendicular to the direction of travel; longitudinal waves have vibrations parallel.
- CLongitudinal waves require a medium; transverse waves do not.
- DTransverse waves have compressions; longitudinal waves have crests.
23.In a transverse wave, the maximum displacement from the rest position is called the:
Easy
- Awavelength
- Bamplitude
- Cfrequency
- Dspeed
24.A student uses a slinky to create a transverse wave. Which of the following describes the motion of the slinky coils?
Medium
- AThe coils move up and down perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
- BThe coils move back and forth parallel to the direction of wave travel.
- CThe coils move in circles.
- DThe coils move in the same direction as the wave.
25.A student creates a longitudinal wave in a slinky by pushing and pulling the end. What does the distance between two consecutive compressions represent?
Medium
- AAmplitude
- BWavelength
- CFrequency
- DWave speed
26.A wave has a speed of 300 m/s and a frequency of 60 Hz. What is the distance between two consecutive rarefactions?
Medium
- A5 m
- B0.2 m
- C18000 m
- D2 m
27.Which of the following statements about waves is correct?
Easy
- AWaves transfer matter from one place to another.
- BWaves transfer energy without transferring matter.
- CWaves transfer both energy and matter.
- DWaves do not transfer energy or matter.
28.In a transverse wave, the maximum displacement from the rest position is called the
Easy
- Awavelength
- Bfrequency
- Camplitude
- Dspeed
29.A student measures the distance between 5 consecutive compressions in a longitudinal wave as 2.0 m. What is the wavelength?
Medium
- A0.4 m
- B0.5 m
- C2.0 m
- D10.0 m
30.Which of the following is a correct description of a rarefaction?
Easy
- ARegion where particles are closest together.
- BRegion where particles are furthest apart.
- CRegion where particles are at rest.
- DRegion where particles move perpendicular to wave direction.
31.A student creates a transverse wave on a rope. The distance from the rest position to the peak is 0.3 m. What is the amplitude?
Easy
- A0.15 m
- B0.3 m
- C0.6 m
- D0.9 m
32.Both longitudinal and transverse waves are caused by
Easy
- Avibrations
- Bmatter transfer
- Celectricity
- Dmagnetism
33.A wave is generated in a slinky. The time for one complete vibration of the hand is 0.25 s. What is the frequency of the wave?
Easy
- A0.25 Hz
- B4 Hz
- C25 Hz
- D0.5 Hz
34.Which of the following correctly describes the difference between a longitudinal and a transverse wave?
Medium
- ALongitudinal waves transfer energy; transverse waves do not.
- BIn longitudinal waves, vibration is parallel to wave direction; in transverse waves, vibration is perpendicular.
- CLongitudinal waves have compressions; transverse waves have rarefactions.
- DTransverse waves require a medium; longitudinal waves do not.
35.A student measures the distance between two consecutive peaks on a transverse wave as 0.8 m and counts 10 peaks passing a point in 5 seconds. What is the wave speed?
Hard
- A1.6 m/s
- B0.16 m/s
- C4 m/s
- D0.4 m/s
36.Which of the following is transferred by a wave?
Easy
- AEnergy
- BMatter
- CBoth energy and matter
- DNeither energy nor matter
37.Which of the following statements is true?
Easy
- AWaves transfer matter but not energy.
- BWaves transfer energy but not matter.
- CWaves transfer both energy and matter.
- DWaves transfer neither energy nor matter.
38.What is the cause of both longitudinal and transverse waves?
Easy
- AVibrations
- BElectricity
- CMagnetism
- DGravity
39.In a longitudinal wave, what is a compression?
Easy
- AThe region where particles are closest together
- BThe region where particles are furthest apart
- CThe maximum displacement from the rest position
- DThe distance between two consecutive peaks
40.In a longitudinal wave, what is a rarefaction?
Easy
- AThe region where particles are furthest apart
- BThe region where particles are closest together
- CThe maximum displacement from the rest position
- DThe distance between two consecutive compressions
41.A wave transfers energy from one place to another.
Easy
True or false?
42.A wave transfers matter from one place to another.
Easy
True or false?
43.Vibrations are the cause of both longitudinal and transverse waves.
Easy
True or false?
44.In a longitudinal wave, a compression is where particles in the wave are closest together.
Easy
True or false?
45.In a transverse wave, the vibration that causes the wave is parallel to the direction of wave travel.
Easy
True or false?
46.Which of the following is the correct definition of amplitude?
Easy
- AThe distance from one peak to the next peak
- BThe maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its rest position
- CThe number of waves passing a point per second
- DThe distance a wave travels in one second
47.In a longitudinal wave, the regions where particles are furthest apart are called:
Easy
- ACompressions
- BRarefactions
- CCrests
- DTroughs
48.A student creates a wave by moving the end of a slinky up and down. Which type of wave is produced?
Easy
- ALongitudinal
- BTransverse
- CBoth longitudinal and transverse
- DNeither
49.Match each wave property with its correct description.
Medium
- Amplitude
- Wavelength
- Frequency
- Speed
- Distance from peak to peak
- Number of waves per second
- Maximum displacement from rest
- Distance travelled per second
50.Arrange the following steps in the correct order to show how a longitudinal wave travels through a slinky when one end is pushed and pulled repeatedly.
Medium
- The hand pushes the end, creating a compression.
- The compression moves along the slinky.
- The hand pulls the end, creating a rarefaction.
- The rarefaction follows the compression.
- Energy is transferred from one end to the other.
51.Describe what a rarefaction is in a longitudinal wave.
Easy
52.Describe a similarity between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave.
Easy
53.Describe the difference between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave.
Medium

Revision notes

## Introduction to Waves - Waves **transfer energy** from one place to another **without transferring matter**. - Caused by **vibrations**. ### Types of Waves - **Transverse waves**: vibration is **perpendicular** to direction of wave travel. - **Longitudinal waves**: vibration is **parallel** to direction of wave travel. ### Key Features - **Longitudinal wave**: has **compressions** (particles closest together) and **rarefactions** (particles furthest apart). - **Transverse wave**: has **peaks** and **troughs**. ### Important Terms - **Displacement**: how far a point on the wave is from the rest position. - **Wavelength**: distance from peak to peak (or any complete wave cycle). - **Amplitude**: maximum displacement of the wave. ### Similarities & Differences - **Similarity**: both types are caused by vibrations and transfer energy. - **Difference**: direction of vibration relative to wave travel (perpendicular vs parallel).

Wave: A transfer of energy from one place to another without transferring matter.
Transverse wave: A wave where the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
Longitudinal wave: A wave where the vibration is parallel to the direction of wave travel.
Compression: Region in a longitudinal wave where particles are closest together.
Rarefaction: Region in a longitudinal wave where particles are furthest apart.
Displacement: How far a point on the wave is from the rest position.
Wavelength: Distance from peak to peak (or any complete wave cycle).
Amplitude: Maximum displacement of the wave.

Flashcards

What do waves transfer?

Waves transfer energy from one place to another, without transferring any matter.

What are the two types of wave?

Longitudinal and transverse waves.

What causes both longitudinal and transverse waves?

Vibrations.

In a transverse wave, what is the direction of vibration relative to wave travel?

The vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

In a longitudinal wave, what is the direction of vibration relative to wave travel?

The vibration is parallel to the direction of wave travel.

What is a compression in a longitudinal wave?

A compression is where particles in the wave are closest together.

What is a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

A rarefaction is where particles in the wave are furthest apart.

Define displacement in a transverse wave.

Displacement is how far a point on the wave is from the rest position.

Define wavelength.

Wavelength is the distance from peak to peak (or any complete wave cycle).

Define amplitude.

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave.

True or false: A wave transfers energy from one place to another.

True.

True or false: A wave transfers matter from one place to another.

False.

True or false: Vibrations are the cause of both longitudinal and transverse waves.

True.

True or false: In a longitudinal wave, a compression is where particles in the wave are closest together.

True.

True or false: In a transverse wave, the vibration that causes the wave is parallel to the direction of wave travel.

False. In a transverse wave, the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

Describe a similarity between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave.

Both are caused by vibrations and transfer energy without transferring matter.

Describe the difference between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave.

In a longitudinal wave, vibrations are parallel to wave travel; in a transverse wave, vibrations are perpendicular.

What are the labels on a transverse wave diagram?

Displacement, wavelength, and amplitude.

What is the rest position in a wave?

The rest position is the equilibrium position of the medium when no wave is passing.

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Time (s)	Displacement (m)
0.0	0.0
0.125	1.0
0.25	0.0
0.375	-1.0
0.5	0.0