HP 7-2: Transverse Waves

HP 7-2: Transverse Waves

By OG Custer

​What is a wave?

​A wave is a disturbance that carries energy from place to place. 

A wave does NOT carry matter with it! It just moves the matter as it goes through it.

Transverse waves

The direction of the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Parts of a transverse wave:

Crest: the highest point of a transverse wave.

​

Trough: the lowest point of a transverse wave.

Parts of a transverse wave:

Wavelength: the distant between two crests or two troughs.

​

Amplitude: the distance between the middle horizontal line and the highest point or between the middle line and the lowest point.

​Other characteristics

​Period (T): The time required for one wavelength.

​

Frequency (f): The number of cycles in a given amount of time (usually 1 second). Measured in Hertz (Hz).

​

HIGHER FREQUENCY = HIGHER ENERGY

Multiple Choice

Which letter represents amplitude?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

What does point A represent?

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

• Crest

• Trough

Multiple Choice

What does point C represent?

• Amplitude

• Trough

• Crest

• Wavelength

Multiple Select

Which pair of points represent one wavelength?

Select all that apply.

• A to F

• B to J

• A to D

• D to I

• A to I

Multiple Choice

Carries energy from one place to another

• Waves
• Amplitude
• Frequency
• Crest

Multiple Choice

Wavelength in this picture is represented between B and D.

• True

• False

​Types of waves

​There are two types of waves:

​

​Mechanical waves: require a medium (matter) to travel.

​Types of wave

Electromagnetic (EM) waves: Do NOT require a medium to travel.​

Multiple Choice

How often a wave occurs is the wave's

• crest
• frequency
• wavelength
• resting point

Multiple Choice

The distance between 2 corresponding parts of a wave  (example- crest to crest) is its

• trough
• frequency
• amplitude
• wavelength

Multiple Choice

The frequency of a wave is measured in

• meters

• hertz
• periods
• eras
• meters per second

Multiple Choice

Mechanical waves are created when a source of energy causes a medium to  _________________.

• vibrate
• expand
• move
• compress

Multiple Choice

Any material that a wave travels through is called a ____________________.

• vibration
• compression
• medium
• crest

Multiple Choice

As the frequency of a wave increases, the __________________ decreases.

• amplitude
• resting point
• wavelength
• crest

• trough