General Properties Of Waves

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Notas de aula

Wave Motion & Energy Transfer

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
Objects floating on water bob up and down but do not travel with the wave, showing no net movement of matter.
Waves are described as oscillations or vibrations about a fixed point.
Wave motion can be demonstrated using vibrations in ropes, springs, or water waves in a ripple tank.

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

Features of Waves

Wavelength (λ): distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave (e.g., crest to crest). Measured in metres (m).
Frequency (f): number of waves passing a point per second. Measured in hertz (Hz).
Amplitude (A): maximum displacement from the undisturbed position to a peak or trough. Measured in metres (m).
Crest (peak): highest point above the equilibrium; trough: lowest point below equilibrium.
Wave speed (v): distance travelled by a wave each second. Measured in m/s.
Wavefronts represent waves from above; spacing between wavefronts indicates wavelength.

Diagram showing the amplitude and wavelength of a transverse wave, measured from the undisturbed position.

The Wave Equation

Wave speed equation: v = f × λ (v = wave speed in m/s, f = frequency in Hz, λ = wavelength in m).
Both transverse and longitudinal waves obey the wave equation.
Frequency and time period (T) are related: f = 1/T.
Example: A wave with speed 0.15 m/s and period 2 s has frequency 0.5 Hz and wavelength 0.30 m.

The wave speed formula triangle: v = f x wavelength.

Transverse Waves

Transverse waves: vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
They have peaks and troughs.
Can travel through solids and on liquid surfaces, but not through liquids or gases (except electromagnetic waves in vacuum).
Examples: electromagnetic waves (light, radio), water ripples, seismic S-waves.

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

Longitudinal Waves

Longitudinal waves: vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
They consist of compressions (particles close together) and rarefactions (particles spread apart).
Can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, but not through a vacuum.
Examples: sound waves, seismic P-waves.

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

Reflection & Refraction

Reflection: a wave hits a boundary and stays in the original medium; angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.
Refraction: a wave passes into a different medium, changing speed, wavelength, and direction (frequency remains constant).
Angles are measured from the normal (line perpendicular to the boundary).
When waves slow down (enter denser medium), they bend towards the normal; when they speed up, they bend away from the normal.

An identical image of a tree is seen in the water due to reflection.

Diffraction

Diffraction: waves spread out when passing through a narrow gap or around an obstacle.
The effect is most pronounced when the gap width is approximately equal to the wavelength.
As gap size increases relative to wavelength, diffraction becomes less noticeable.
Diffraction does not change the wavelength of the wave.

Diffraction through a gap: when the wavelength is greater than the gap size the waves spread out a lot; when the wavelength is much less than the gap size they spread out very little.

$Diffraction through a gap: when the wavelength is greater than the gap size the waves spread out a lot; when the wavelength is much less than the gap size they spread out very little.$

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Questões de prática

Prévia grátis — 8 de 56 perguntas. Cadastre-se para ver todas.

1.Which of the following correctly describes what waves transfer?
Easy
- AMatter
- BEnergy
- CBoth matter and energy
- DNeither matter nor energy
2.State the term used to describe the distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave.
Easy
3.A wave has a frequency of 5 Hz and a wavelength of 2 m. Calculate the wave speed in m/s.
Easy
- A12
- B9
- C11
- D10
4.In a transverse wave, the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Easy
True or false?
5.Complete the sentence about longitudinal waves.
Easy
In a longitudinal wave, the regions where particles are close together are called ____ and the regions where particles are spread apart are called ____.
6.A wave travels from air into glass. Which of the following changes occurs?
Medium
- AIts frequency increases
- BIts wavelength decreases
- CIts speed increases
- DIts direction remains unchanged
7.The time period of a wave is 0.02 s. Calculate its frequency in Hz.
Easy
- A50
- B55
- C45
- D60
8.Name the wave effect that occurs when a wave passes through a narrow gap and spreads out.
Easy

Mais perguntas

9.Match each wave type to its correct description.
Medium
- Transverse wave
- Longitudinal wave
- Vibration perpendicular to direction of energy transfer
- Vibration parallel to direction of energy transfer
- Can travel through a vacuum
10.A wave has a speed of 340 m/s and a frequency of 1700 Hz. What is its wavelength?
Medium
- A0.2 m
- B0.5 m
- C2 m
- D5 m
11.State what happens to the wavelength of a wave when it refracts from air into glass.
Easy
12.Which statement best describes what waves transfer?
Easy
- AMatter
- BEnergy
- CBoth matter and energy
- DNeither matter nor energy
13.Which of the following is an example of a longitudinal wave?
Easy
- ALight waves
- BWater ripples
- CSound waves
- DRadio waves
14.When a wave passes from air into glass, which of the following changes occurs?
Medium
- AIts frequency decreases
- BIts wavelength decreases
- CIts speed increases
- DIts frequency increases
15.Diffraction is the spreading out of waves when they pass through a narrow gap.
Easy
True or false?
16.Arrange the following steps in the correct order to describe how a wave transfers energy without transferring matter. (a) Particles oscillate about fixed positions. (b) Energy is transferred from one particle to the next. (c) A disturbance causes particles to vibrate. (d) The wave moves through the medium.
Medium
- A disturbance causes particles to vibrate.
- Particles oscillate about fixed positions.
- Energy is transferred from one particle to the next.
- The wave moves through the medium.
17.Which of the following are properties that can be measured for a wave? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AAmplitude
- BWavelength
- CMass
- DFrequency
18.Which of the following best describes what happens when a water wave passes under a floating toy duck?
Easy
- AThe duck moves forward with the wave.
- BThe duck moves up and down but does not travel with the wave.
- CThe duck remains completely still.
- DThe duck moves in the opposite direction to the wave.
19.Match each wave term to its correct definition.
Medium
- Wavelength
- Frequency
- Amplitude
- Wave speed
- The number of waves passing a point per second
- The distance travelled by a wave each second
- The distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave
- The distance from the undisturbed position to the peak of a wave
20.In a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
Easy
True or false?
21.A sound wave travels from air into water. Which of the following statements is correct?
Hard
- AThe frequency increases and the wavelength decreases.
- BThe frequency stays the same and the wavelength increases.
- CThe frequency decreases and the wavelength stays the same.
- DThe frequency stays the same and the wavelength decreases.
22.A student uses a ripple tank to generate water waves. The wooden bar vibrates up and down, producing waves of frequency 4 Hz and wavelength 0.05 m. What is the speed of the water waves?
Medium
- A0.2 m/s
- B0.0125 m/s
- C0.8 m/s
- D80 m/s
23.A sound wave travels from air into water. Its speed increases from 340 m/s to 1500 m/s, while its frequency remains constant. What happens to its wavelength?
Medium
- AIt increases
- BIt decreases
- CIt stays the same
- DIt becomes zero
24.When a wave is diffracted through a narrow gap, the wavelength of the wave increases.
Easy
True or false?
25.Which of the following changes occur when a wave refracts as it passes from air into glass? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- ASpeed decreases
- BWavelength decreases
- CFrequency decreases
- DDirection changes towards the normal
26.A student observes that a floating cork bobs up and down as waves pass, but does not move horizontally. What does this demonstrate?
Easy
- AWaves transfer matter
- BWaves transfer energy but not matter
- CWaves transfer both energy and matter
- DWaves do not transfer energy
27.In an experiment to measure the speed of sound, a student stands a known distance from a wall and claps. She hears an echo. Which quantities must she measure to determine the speed of sound?
Medium
- ADistance to the wall and time for the echo to return
- BDistance to the wall and frequency of the sound
- CWavelength of the sound and time for the echo to return
- DAmplitude of the sound and distance to the wall
28.A wave travels from air into glass. Its speed decreases from 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s to 2.0 × 10⁸ m/s. Its frequency remains constant at 5.0 × 10¹⁴ Hz. What is the change in wavelength?
Hard
- A2.0 × 10^-7 m
- B1.0 × 10^-7 m
- C3.0 × 10^-7 m
- D4.0 × 10^-7 m
29.Which of the following are true about the refraction of waves? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AThe frequency of the wave changes.
- BThe speed of the wave changes.
- CThe wavelength of the wave changes.
- DThe wave always bends towards the normal.
- EThe wave may change direction.
30.Arrange the following steps in the correct order to describe how to measure the speed of water waves in a ripple tank using a stroboscope.
Medium
- Count the number of waves passing a point in 10 seconds.
- Calculate frequency by dividing number of waves by time.
- Measure the wavelength using a ruler placed in the tank.
- Calculate wave speed using v = f × λ.
- Adjust the stroboscope until the waves appear stationary.
31.Match each wave term to its correct description.
Medium
- Amplitude
- Frequency
- Wavelength
- Wave speed
- Number of waves passing a point per second
- Distance from undisturbed position to peak
- Distance travelled by a wave each second
- Distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave
32.A sound wave travels from air into water. Its speed increases from 340 m/s to 1500 m/s, while its frequency remains constant at 200 Hz. What is the change in wavelength?
Hard
- A0.75 m
- B1.7 m
- C5.8 m
- D7.5 m
33.A wave has a speed of 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s and a frequency of 5.0 × 10¹⁴ Hz. When it passes from air into glass, its speed decreases to 2.0 × 10⁸ m/s. What is the wavelength of the wave in glass?
Hard
- A4.0 × 10^-7 m
- B6.0 × 10^-7 m
- C4.0 × 10^-6 m
- D6.0 × 10^-6 m
34.Which of the following statements about wave properties are correct? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AThe amplitude of a wave is the distance from a crest to a trough.
- BThe wavelength of a transverse wave can be measured from one peak to the next peak.
- CThe frequency of a wave is the number of wavelengths that pass a point per second.
- DWave speed is defined as the distance travelled by a wave per unit time.
- EThe time period of a wave is the time taken for one complete oscillation.
35.In a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is at right angles to the direction of energy transfer.
Easy
True or false?
36.The diagram shows a wave. Which letter represents the amplitude?
Easy
- AA
- BB
- CC
- DD
- EE
- FF
37.A student investigates water waves in a ripple tank. The waves have a frequency of 5 Hz and wavelength 0.04 m. Which of the following are correct? (Select all that apply)
Hard
- AThe wave speed is 0.2 m/s.
- BThe time period is 0.2 s.
- CIf frequency increases to 10 Hz, wavelength halves (speed constant).
- DIf wavelength increases to 0.08 m, speed doubles (frequency constant).
- EThe wave speed is 0.02 m/s.
38.A student uses a ripple tank to investigate water waves. She places a floating cork on the surface and observes its motion as waves pass. Which observation provides evidence that waves transfer energy without transferring matter?
Easy
- AThe cork moves horizontally across the tank.
- BThe cork bobs up and down but does not move horizontally.
- CThe cork moves in a circular path.
- DThe cork remains stationary.
39.Which of the following is a longitudinal wave?
Easy
- ALight wave
- BWater wave
- CSound wave
- DRadio wave
40.A wave travels from air into glass. Which of the following changes occur? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- ASpeed decreases
- BFrequency decreases
- CWavelength decreases
- DDirection changes towards the normal
41.Match each wave property to its correct definition.
Easy
- Amplitude
- Wavelength
- Frequency
- Number of waves per second
- Distance from peak to peak
- Maximum displacement from rest
42.Complete the sentence:
Easy
The distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave is called the ____.
43.A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 0.2 m. Calculate the wave speed in m/s.
Easy
44.State the term used to describe the number of waves passing a point per second.
Easy
45.Complete the sentence about wave motion.
Easy
Waves transfer ____ but not ____.
46.A wave has a speed of 340 m/s and a wavelength of 0.5 m. Calculate the frequency of the wave in Hz.
Easy
47.State the term used to describe the spreading out of waves when they pass through a narrow gap.
Easy
48.A water wave has a frequency of 2.5 Hz and a wavelength of 0.12 m. Calculate the speed of the wave in m/s.
Easy
49.Complete the sentence using the correct word.
Easy
The highest point on a transverse wave is called the ____.
50.Explain what is meant by the term 'refraction' of waves.
Medium
51.A toy duck floats on water as waves pass. Explain how the duck's motion demonstrates that waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
Medium
52.A student sets up a ripple tank and uses a stroboscope to measure the frequency of water waves. Describe an experimental method to determine the wavelength of the waves. Include any measurements and calculations.
Hard
53.Explain why a toy duck floating on water bobs up and down when waves pass, but does not move horizontally.
Medium
54.A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 0.2 m. Calculate the wave speed in m/s.
Easy
- A9 m/s
- B11 m/s
- C12 m/s
- D10 m/s
55.A wave has a speed of 340 m/s and a wavelength of 0.5 m. Calculate the frequency of the wave in Hz.
Easy
- A680 Hz
- B816 Hz
- C748 Hz
- D612 Hz
56.A water wave has a frequency of 2.5 Hz and a wavelength of 0.12 m. Calculate the speed of the wave in m/s.
Easy
- A0.3 m/s
- B1.3 m/s
- C2.3 m/s
- D-0.7 m/s

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