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Wave Diagrams and Calculations

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Wave Diagrams and Calculations

Wave diagram illustration

📊 Part 1: Wave Diagrams and Identification

1. Which type of wave is shown in a wave where particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer?

Longitudinal wave

Transverse wave

Sound wave

Compression wave

2. On a transverse wave diagram, label the following features:

Features to label: amplitude, wavelength, crest, trough, equilibrium position

3. In a longitudinal wave, the regions where particles are closest together are called:

Crests

Troughs

Compressions

Rarefactions

4. Draw a simple diagram showing the difference between a transverse and longitudinal wave:

🧮 Part 2: Wave Calculations Using π

Formula Reminders:

• Position in wave cycle: θ = 2πt/T (where θ is angle in radians, t is time, T is period)

• Phase difference: Δφ = 2πΔx/λ (where Δx is distance difference, λ is wavelength)

• Complete cycle = 2π radians = 360°

5. A wave has a period of 0.5 seconds. Calculate the angle (in radians) after 0.25 seconds:

Answer: _________ radians

6. If a wave completes one full cycle, what angle has it travelled through?

π radians

2π radians

π/2 radians

4π radians

7. A particle oscillates with simple harmonic motion. At what angles (in terms of π) does the particle reach:

a) Maximum positive displacement: _________

b) Zero displacement (moving downward): _________

c) Maximum negative displacement: _________

d) Zero displacement (moving upward): _________

8. Two waves have a wavelength of 4.0 metres. If they are 1.0 metre apart, calculate their phase difference in radians:

Answer: _________ radians

🎯 Part 3: Advanced Wave Analysis

9. A wave diagram shows a particle at position y = A sin(2πt/T), where A = 5.0 cm and T = 2.0 s. Calculate the position of the particle at t = 0.5 s:

Answer: _________ cm

10. From a wave diagram, if you observe that a wave completes 3/4 of a cycle, what angle has it travelled through?

π/2 radians

3π/2 radians

3π/4 radians

2π/3 radians

11. Explain how you would use a wave diagram to determine the phase difference between two waves at the same frequency:
12. A student observes that two waves are completely out of phase. What is their phase difference in terms of π?

Phase difference = _________ radians

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