In a transverse wave, in which direction do the oscillations occur?
Perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
Parallel to the direction of energy transfer
In the same direction as energy transfer
In a circular path around the source
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WhyIn a transverse wave the vibrations are at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction in which the wave transfers energy.
2Multiple choice · Easy
Which of the following is an example of a longitudinal wave?
A sound wave travelling through air
A light wave from a lamp
Ripples on the surface of a pond
A wave on a stretched rope flicked up and down
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WhySound is a longitudinal wave, with compressions and rarefactions parallel to the direction of travel. Light, ripples on water and the rope wave shown are transverse.
3Multiple choice · Easy
What is the amplitude of a wave?
The maximum displacement from the rest position
The distance between two adjacent peaks
The number of waves passing a point each second
The time taken for one complete wave
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WhyAmplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed (rest) position, not measured peak-to-trough.
4Multiple choice · Easy
The frequency of a wave is the number of waves passing a point each second. What is its unit?
Hz
m
m/s
s
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WhyFrequency is measured in hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz means one complete wave passes a point each second.
5Fill in the blank · Easy
The distance from one point on a wave to the same point on the next wave (for example peak to peak) is called the .
Answer:
wavelength
WhyWavelength is the distance between corresponding points on adjacent waves, such as peak to peak, and is measured in metres.
6Fill in the blank · Easy
Visible light is part of a family of waves that all travel through a vacuum at the same speed. This family is called the spectrum.
Answer:
electromagnetic / electromagnetic (EM) / EM
WhyThe electromagnetic spectrum is the continuous range of EM waves, from radio waves to gamma rays, all of which are transverse and travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
7Multiple choice · Medium
A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 4 m. What is its wave speed?
200 m/s
54 m/s
12.5 m/s
0.08 m/s
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WhyUsing v = f x wavelength = 50 Hz x 4 m = 200 m/s.
8Multiple choice · Medium
Which of these correctly lists three EM waves in order of INCREASING frequency?
Infrared, ultraviolet, gamma
Gamma, ultraviolet, infrared
Ultraviolet, gamma, infrared
Gamma, infrared, ultraviolet
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WhyAcross the EM spectrum frequency increases from radio waves, through microwaves and infrared, up to ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. So infrared has lower frequency than ultraviolet, which is lower than gamma.
9Multiple choice · Medium
A wave has a period of 0.02 s. What is its frequency?
50 Hz
0.02 Hz
20 Hz
500 Hz
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WhyFrequency = 1 / period = 1 / 0.02 s = 50 Hz.
10Multiple choice · Medium
Why can radio waves be used for broadcasting but gamma rays cannot?
Radio waves carry less energy and are not harmful, while gamma rays are ionising and dangerous
Radio waves travel faster than gamma rays in a vacuum
Gamma rays cannot pass through air
Radio waves have a higher frequency than gamma rays
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WhyRadio waves have low frequency and low energy and are not ionising or harmful at broadcast levels, whereas gamma rays are highly ionising and dangerous, making them unsuitable for broadcasting.
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