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Understanding Waves Worksheet

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Understanding Waves Worksheet

A coastal monitoring team is investigating waves and sound near a beach. Read the information and solve the problems. Use wave speed = frequency × wavelength. Show your working for calculations.

Wave models

A transverse wave oscillates at right angles to the direction energy travels. A longitudinal wave oscillates parallel to the direction energy travels. In a transverse wave, the highest point is the crest and the lowest point is the trough. In a longitudinal wave, particles form compressions and rarefactions.

1.Model A has particles moving up and down while the wave travels horizontally. Model B has particles moving back and forth in the same direction the wave travels, forming compressions and rarefactions. Which model shows a longitudinal wave? Give one feature that identifies it.

2.Match each wave feature to its description.

Amplitude
Wavelength
Frequency

Distance between equivalent points on consecutive waves
Number of complete waves passing a point each second
Maximum displacement from the equilibrium position

3.A student says, “A larger amplitude means a higher frequency.” Which response is most accurate?

Correct: amplitude and frequency always increase together.
Incorrect: amplitude describes wave height or energy, while frequency is the number of cycles per second.
Correct: amplitude is measured in hertz.
Incorrect: amplitude is the distance travelled by a wave each second.

The monitoring team’s measurements

At the beach, the team records water-wave crests passing a fixed marker. In a separate test, a sound pulse travels through air. For calculations, assume the waves are travelling through a uniform medium.

4.Six complete crests pass the buoy in 12 seconds. Calculate the frequency in hertz. Include the equation and working.

5.The water waves have a wavelength of 4.0 m and a frequency of 0.5 Hz. Calculate their speed in metres per second.

6.A sound wave travels through air at 340 m/s and has a frequency of 170 Hz. Calculate its wavelength.

7.A sound wave travels through air at 340 m/s. Its frequency changes from 170 Hz to 340 Hz. What happens to the wavelength? Explain briefly.

8.Sound can travel through a vacuum because its particles oscillate parallel to the direction of travel.

TrueFalse

9.A buoy records water waves with a frequency of 0.5 Hz. Describe what that value means at the buoy, and state how many complete waves pass in 20 seconds if the frequency remains constant.

10.Draw a transverse wave and label its equilibrium position, one crest, one trough, amplitude and wavelength. Add an arrow to show the direction of travel.