Representing longitudinal waves | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

How does a loud speaker move to make a sound wave that moves forwards?

• up and down

• side to side

• forwards and backwards

Answer explanation

A loud speaker moves backwards and forwards to make a sound wave.

How do air particles move as a sound wave moves forwards through the air?

• side to side

• forwards and backwards

• forwards with the wave

Answer explanation

A sound wave makes particles in the air vibrate forwards and backwards.

A sound wave is an example of a ___ wave.

Answer explanation

A sound wave is a longitudinal wave because each part of the wave vibrates in the same direction in which the wave is moving.

What is the wave medium of a longitudinal wave travelling along a spring stretched across a table?

• the air

• the spring

• the table

Answer explanation

The sping is the wave medium because parts of the spring are moving to allow the wave to move forwards.

What is the maximum displacement of a particle in a wave called?

• wavelength

• period

• frequency

• amplitude

Answer explanation

The maximum displacement of a particle in a wave is called the amplitude of the wave.

What is the name given to the number of complete wave cycles passing a point each second?

• period

• frequency

• displacement

• amplitude

Answer explanation

Frequency is equal to the number of complete waves in one second.