OCR GCSE Combined Science Physics J250
Electricity
Energy
Forces
Global Challenges
Magnetism and Magnetic Fields
Matter
Radioactivity
Waves in Matter
Waves in Matter
Transverse and longitudinal waves
- 3 things to know
- Paper 6 (Physics)
Overview
How the direction of vibration differs in transverse and longitudinal waves, crests and troughs, compressions and rarefactions, an example of each type, and what the two types have in common.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
In a transverse wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?
In a longitudinal wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
In a transverse wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?
Model answer
The vibrations are at right angles to the direction the wave travels.
- 2
In a longitudinal wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?
Model answer
The vibrations are along the same line as the direction the wave travels.
- 3
What are the high and low points of a transverse wave called?
Model answer
The high points are crests and the low points are troughs.
- 4
What are the two kinds of region found along a longitudinal wave called?
Model answer
Compressions and rarefactions.
- 5
What is a compression in a longitudinal wave?
Model answer
A region where the particles are pushed closer together than normal, so the pressure is higher.
- 6
What is a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?
Model answer
A region where the particles are spread further apart than normal, so the pressure is lower.
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