Wave Properties

The distance, A, in the image represents

• amplitude

• frequency

• period

• wavelength

What does B represent?

• amplitude

• crest

• trough

• wavelength

Which area of this sound wave represents a compression?

• A

• B

• C

• D

The crest of a transverse wave is BEST shown by letter

• A

• B

• C

• D

The wavelength of a wave is the length of one complete cycle of a wave. For a transverse wave, the wavelength is determined by measuring from crest to crest. A longitudinal wave does not have crest. In this case the wavelength can be determined by measuring the distance between any two corresponding points on adjacent waves. In the case of a longitudinal wave, a wavelength measurement is made by measuring the distance from

• peak to peak

• trough to trough

• wavelength to wavelength

• compression to compression

Sound travels in waves. Sound waves cannot travel through

• air

• solids

• water

• space

Looking at the diagram showing two waves. Notice, Wave A has a bigger amplitude. Looking at the diagram showing two waves. Notice,

• wave A has a bigger amplitude.

• wave A has a smaller amplitude.

• wave A has a shorter wavelength.

• there are no differences between the waves.

Which type of wave is shown in the model?

• Longitudinal

• Gravitational

• Transverse

• Electromagnetic

One end of a horizontal string is caused to oscillate vertically while the other end is attached to a fixed object. The wave that travels along the string is an example of a _________ wave.

• Transverse

• Electromagnetic

• Undulating

• Sound

Sound waves are compression waves, as seen here. The areas of low pressure within a sound wave, area A for example, are called

• frequencies

• rarefactions

• troughs

• amplitudes