TRANSVERSE WAVES CONCEPTS

Wavelength, Frequency, Amplitude, Period, Wave speed

 Define a transverse wave as a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate
at right angles to the direction of motion of the wave. A transverse wave is a
succession of transverse pulses.
 Define the terms wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude, crest and trough of a
wave.
Wavelength: The distance between two successive points in phase.
Frequency: The number of wave pulses per second.
Period: The time taken for one complete wave pulse.
Amplitude: The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position.
Crest: Highest point (peak) on a wave.
Trough: Lowest point on a wave.
 Explain the wave concepts in phase and out of phase.
In phase: Two points in phase are separated by a whole number (1; 2; 3; …)
multiple of complete wavelengths.
Out of phase: Points that are not separated by a whole number multiple of
complete wavelengths.
 Identify the wavelength, amplitude, crests, troughs, points in phase and points out
of phase on a drawing of a transverse wave.
1 1
f= T=
 Use the relationship between frequency and period, i.e. T and f , to solve
problems.
 Define wave speed as the distance travelled by a point on a wave per unit time.
 Use the wave equation v=fλ to solve problems involving waves.

SUMMARY
TRANSVERSE WAVE

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LONGITUDINAL WAVE

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TWO WAVES MEET?

MULTIPLE TRANSVERSE WAVES

USEFUL FORMULAE

QUESTION 1
1.1 Define the term pulse (2)
1.2 The diagram below shows two pulses L and M, traveling in opposite directions
in a rope. The amplitude of pulse L is UNKNOWN and that of pulse M is 7cm.
The two pulses meet at point X and the resulting amplitude is shown

1.2.1 What type of interference take place at X? (1)

1.2.2 Why is it possible to apply the principle of superposition at X? (1)
1.2.3 Determine the amplitude of L (1)
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 1.2.4 In which direction does pulse M move AFTER the 2 pulses pass each
other?
Write either TO THE LEFT or TO THE RIGHT (1)

QUESTION 2
2.1 The distance between 13 consecutive crests in a ripple tank is 1.8m. The
waves travel through the water at a speed of 0.225m.s-1.
2.1.1 Define the term wavelength of a wave (2)
2.2 Calculate the….
2.2.1 Wavelength of the wave, in meters (3)
2.2.2 Frequency of the wave (3)
2.3 The graph below shows the displacement of a leaf on a dam at an intervals of
0.2s after a disturbance has moved through the water at 12m.s-1. The wave
moves from left to right in the diagram.

2.3.1 At position C, is the leaf moving upwards or downwards? (1)

2.3.2 Consider the points A, B, C and D in the diagram. Identify TWO points (1)
which are in phase.
2.4 Calculate ……
2.4.1 The frequency of the wave (2)
2.4.2 Wavelength produced (3)
2.5 What is meant by the term amplitude of a wave (2)
2.6 The amplitude of the wave is now doubled. What is the value, in metres, of the (2)
new amplitude of the wave?

QUESTION 3
The diagram below represents a transverse wave produced by source A

3.1 Calculate the …

3.1.1 Speed of the wave if the wavelength is 0.8m (5)
3.1.2 Distance d on the diagram (2)
The diagram below represent the transverse wave produced by source B

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3.2 How does each of the following properties of the wave produced by source B
compare to that of the wave produced by source A? Choose from GREATER
THAN, SMALLER THAN or EQUAL TO.
3.2.1 Amplitude (1)
3.2.2 Frequency (1)
3.3 Calculate the frequency of the wave produced by source B (3)

QUESTION 4

Two pulses, A and B , travelling along a string, approach each other. The
amplitudes of the pulses are 10cm and 7cm respectively. They meet at point
Q. Assume that no energy is lost.

4.1 Define the term pulse. (2)

4.2 Name the phenomenon that occurs when A and B meet at point (2)
Q.
4.3 State the principle of superposition (2)
4.4 Draw a sketch to show the resulting pulse when A and B meet at (3)
point Q. Show all relevant measurements.
4.5 What happens to pulse B AFTER pulse A and B met?
Choose your answer from ONE of the following:
A. Moves to the right (1)
B. Becomes stationary OR
C. Moves to the left
4.6 Pulse A travels a distance of 60m in 2 minutes. Calculate the (3)
speed of pulse A.

QUESTION 5
Water waves can be made by vibrating a wooden bar up and down in a tray of water.
The bar moves up and down at a frequency of 5 Hz.

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5.1 How many complete waves are there in 48cm? (2)
5.2 Are the water waves longitudinal or transverse? Explain briefly. (3)
5.3 Calculate the period of the waves. (3)
5.4 Calculate the speed of the water waves. (4)

SOLUTIONS – WAVES, SOUND & LIGHT

QUESTION 1
1.1 A single disturbance in a medium √√ (2)
1.2.1 Destructive Interference√ (1)
1.2.2 Crest of one pulse overlaps with the trough of another√ (1)
1.2.3 +3cm + (-7cm) = -4cm= 4cm (trough) √ (1)
1.2.4 Left √ (1)

QUESTION 2:
2.1.1 The distance between two consecutive points in phase√√ (2)
2.2.1 1.8√ /12 √= 0,15m√ (3)
2.2.2 v=fλ √ (3)
F= 0,225/0.15√
= 1,5Hz√
2.3.1 Downwards√ (1)
2.3.2 A and D√ (1)
2.4.1 T= 1/F√ (2)
F= 1/T
= 1/0,4
= 2,5Hz√
2.4.2 v=fλ (3)
Wavelength= V/f√
= 12/2,5√
= 4,8m√
2.5 Maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position√√ (2)
2.6 20cm√√ (2)

QUESTION 3:
3.1.1 v=fλ √ (5)
= 0,125x 08√
= 0.1ms-1 √ T=1/f √
f = 1/T= 1/8 = 0,125Hz √

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 3.1.2 2,5x 0,8 = 2m√√ (2)
3.2.1 Equal to√ (1)
3.2.2 Increases√ (1)
3.3 F=1/T√= ¼ √= 0,25Hz√ (3)

QUESTION 4:
4.1 A pulse is a single disturbance√√ (2)
4.2 Constructive√ interference√ (2)
4.3 The amplitude of the resultant pulse√ (wave) is the algebraic sum of their (2)
individual amplitudes√
4.4 (3)

4.5 C ( It continues moving in its original direction)√ (1)

4.6 V= distance/ time (method) (3)
= 60/2x60 (conversion of minutes to seconds, substitutions)
-1
= 0,5ms ( accuracy, SI units)

QUESTION 5:
5.1 6 √√ (2)
5.2 Transverse√ The direction of disturbance is perpendicular to the direction (3)
of propagation√√
5.3 T= 1/F √ (3)
= 1/5 √
= 0,2s √
5.4 V= distance/ time √ (4)
= 0,48/ 6x0,2 √
= 0,4 ms-1 √

SOUND WAVES
EXAMINATION GUIDELINES

 Explain that sound waves are created by vibrations in a medium in the direction of
propagation. The vibrations cause a regular variation in pressure in the medium.
 Describe a sound wave as a longitudinal wave.
 Explain the relationship between wave speed and the properties of the medium in which
the wave travels (gas, liquid or solid).
 Describe echoes as reflections of sound waves.
 Use the wave equation to solve problems involving sound waves that also include
echoes, e.g. sonar, bats and dolphins.

Pitch, loudness, quality (tone)

 Relate the pitch of a sound to the frequency of a sound wave. Pitch is the effect
produced in the ear due to the sound of a particular frequency. Pitch is directly

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 proportional to frequency.
 Relate the loudness of a sound to both the amplitude of a sound wave and the sensitivity
of the human ear. Loudness is a subjective term describing the strength of the ear's
perception of a sound. Loudness is directly proportional to amplitude.
 Relate the quality of sound to the waveform as it appears to the listener. Two notes of the
same pitch and loudness played on different instruments do not sound the same
because the waveforms are different and therefore differ in quality or tone.
 Distinguish between the shape of a pure note and the shape of a noise.
Ultrasound
 Describe sound with frequencies higher than 20 kHz up to about 100 kHz as ultrasound
 Explain how an image can be created using ultrasound based on the fact that when a
wave encounters a boundary between two media, part of the wave is reflected, part is
absorbed and part is transmitted.
 Describe some of the medical benefits and uses of ultrasound, e.g. safety, diagnosis,
treatment, and pregnancy.

NOTES
 A sound wave is an example of a longitudinal wave
 Sound waves are created by vibrations in a medium in the direction of propagation.
 Sound waves cannot be propagated in a vacuum.
 Speed of sound depends on the properties of a medium, it travels faster in a medium with
particles closely packed.
 Sound waves travel faster through liquids, like water, than through the air because water is
denser than air.
 Sound waves travel faster in solids than in liquid because a solid is denser than liquid.

Medium Speed (m.s-1)

Air 340
Water 1500
Steel 5900

ECHOES
 Sound waves can be reflected by hard surfaces like walls and cliffs. The reflected sound is
called an echo.

Example
A man stands between two tall buildings. When he claps his hands he hears the echo from
one building after two seconds and the echo from the other building after three seconds.
Calculate the distance that the building are apart from each other. Take the speed of sound as
330 m.s-1.
Solution.
For building 1
Distance = speed × time
Distance = 330 × 1
Distance =330 m.

For building 2
Distance = speed × time
Distance = 330 × 1.5
Distance = 495 m.
Distance between 2 buildings = 330 + 495 = 825m.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND
PITCH
 The frequency of a sound wave is what your ear understands as pitch.
 The pitch represents how high or how low the note sounds.
 A higher frequency sound has a higher pitch, and a lower frequency sound has a lower
pitch. (frequency is directly proportional to pitch)
LOUDNESS
 The amplitude of a sound wave determines its loudness or volume. Loudness is the
listener’s evaluation of amplitude.
 A larger amplitude means a louder sound and a smaller amplitude means a softer sound.
(loudness is directly proportional to the amplitude)
 Loudness is measured in decibels (dB)

TONE
 The tone is a measure of the quality of the sound wave
 Sound produced by the drum not of quality because it has different frequencies and it lasts
for a short while.(this is noise)

PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
 Blow three vuvuzelas of different sizes to demonstrate the different frequencies (pitches)
 Blow one Vuvuzela firstly louder and then softer to demonstrate loudness
 Blow a Vuvuzela and a flute to demonstrate the different tones

EXAMPLE
Two musical notes have the same amplitude but note A has twice the frequency of note B. In
which respects would:
(a) their sounds differ; and
(b) their sounds be the same?

Solution
a) Pitch
b) Loudness

ULTRASOUND
 Ultrasound is sound with a frequency that is higher than 20 kHz.
 The most common use of ultrasound is to create images.
 The use of ultrasound to create images is based on the reflection and transmission of a
wave at a boundary.
 When an ultrasound wave travels inside an object that is made up of di fferent materials,
part of the wave is reflected and part of it is transmitted.
 The reflected rays are detected and used to construct an image of the object.

USES OF ULTRASOUND
In medicine:
 To visualise muscle and soft tissue, e.g. during pregnancy
 To generate local heating in biological tissue e.g. to break up kidney stones.
In industry:
 Ultrasonic cleaners are used to clean jewellery, lenses and other optical parts, watches,
dental instruments, surgical instruments, and industrial parts.

EXAMPLE
The picture below is an ultrasound picture showing the baby inside the womb of a pregnant

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woman .

(1) What is an ultrasound?

(2) Briefly explain how an image is formed when using ultrasound.
(3) Describe any other use of ultrasound in medicine

SOLUTIONS
(1) Ultrasound is a sound with a frequency higher than 20 000Hz.
(2) When an ultrasound wave travels inside an object that is made up of di fferent materials,
part of the wave is reflected and part of it is transmitted. The reflected rays are detected and
used to construct an image of the object.
(3) To visualise muscle and soft tissue, e.g. during pregnancy
To generate local heating in biological tissue e.g. to break up kidney stones.

ACTIVITIES
QUESTION 1
1, Experiments were done to investigate the effect of temperature on the speed
of sound. One person beat a drum while another person, who was standing
50m away from the sound source, recorded the time travelled by the sound.

They performed the experiment at different temperatures at different times of

the day. They recorded their findings in the table below.
TEMPERATURE (0C) TIME (s)
0 0,151
5 0,150
10 0,148
15 0,147
20 0,146
25 0,145

For the investigation, write down the:

1.1 1.1.1 Investigative question (2)
What is the relationship between the speed of sound and the
temperature? (Importance of dependent and independent
variables).
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 1.1.2 Independent variables. (Variable that you manipulate or vary (1)
experimentally)
Temperature
1.1.3 Dependant variable (Variable that changes as a result of the (1)
independent variable manipulation)
Speed of sound
1.2. Calculate the speed of sound at 20 0C. (The formula to calculate the (3)
speed of sound and substitution)
distance
Speed =
time
50
Speed =
0,146
Speed =342,47 m.s-1
1.3. Write down a conclusion for the investigation. ( Using dependent and (2)
independent variables to draw conclusions)
The speed of sound increases, as the temperature increases.
2. A longitudinal wave with a wavelength of 3cm travels through air at a speed of
330ms-1.
2.1 Calculate the frequency of this vibration. (The formula to calculate (3)
the wave speed and substitution)

330=f x 0,03
f= 330/0,03
= 11000Hz
2.2 Can a person with a normal range of hearing hear the sound of this (2)
wave? Explain briefly. (Human hearing range and ultrasound)
Yes. The range of human hearing is from 20Hz to 20000Hz, and this
frequency fits within that range
3. During pregnancy, the unborn foetus is monitored using ultrasound.
(Concepts covered: Definitions, medical uses of ultrasound)
3.1 Define the term “ultrasound” (Definition) (2)
Sound waves with frequencies higher than 20000Hz are called
ultrasound
3.2 Briefly explain how ultrasound waves can be used to produce an (2)
image of a foetus. (Medical uses of ultrasound
A transducer sends ultrasound waves into a woman’s abdomen.
These waves reflect off the tissues and are received by the
transducer. A digital image of the tissues is displayed on a computer
monitor. This image gives details about the unborn foetus.
3.3 Give two reasons why ultrasound is used instead of X-rays when (2)
monitoring the development of the foetus.
(1) Ultrasound is safe, it has no ionising radiation (which X-rays have)
(2) It gives a very clear picture (image) of soft tissue which X-rays are
not able to do
3.4 Give another non-medical use of ultrasound technology. (2)
SONAR uses ultrasound for depth sounding, locating shoals of fish
etc.

4. 4.1 Ultrasound is a reflection of…? (2)

A: Soft tissues only
B: Hard tissue only
C: Both soft tissues and hard tissues
D: Hard muscles only.
(The uses of ultrasound and the reflection of ultrasound)
Answer is C

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 4.2 The velocity of a sound is much higher in…? (2)
A: Liquid
B: Metal
C: Vacuum
D: both A and B
(The speed of sound waves in phases of matter.
Answer is D
4.3 Which one of the following combinations concerning pitch and (2)
loudness is correct?
PITCH LOUDNESS
A Frequency Speed of vibration
B Frequency Amplitude of vibration
C Amplitude of vibration Frequency
D Speed of vibration Frequency
(The relationship between Pitch and Frequency as well as the
relationship between Loudness and Amplitude)
Answer is B

4.4. What type of wave is ultrasound? (Types of waves)

A transverse
B longitudinal
C electromagnetic
D rectangular
Answer is B

Topics Summaries and Notes

Electromagnetic radiation

WAVE NATURE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION

 It is produced by charges accelerating through space.

 Accelerating charges are the source of all Electromagnetic Radiation.
 The accelerating charges create a constantly changing electric field which travels away
from the source in 3 dimensions. The continuously changing electric field then induces a
changing magnetic field that is perpendicular to the electric field. The changing magnetic
field in turn produces an electric field.
 Electromagnetic waves are created by oscillating magnetic and electric fields which move
at right angles to each other and to the direction of the propagation of the wave.

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WAVE EQUATION (EM)

The wave is propagated at a speed of 3×108 m·s-1. This is called c (speed of light).
All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light.

Conversions Table
Unit Symbol Unit in metres
Micrometres μm 10-6
Nanometres Nm 10-9
Picometres Pm 10-12

EXAMPLE 1
Determine the wavelength of ultraviolet waves with a frequency of 1,6×1016 Hz
c=fλ
3×108=(1,6×1016)λ
λ=1,88×10-8 m

EXAMPLE 2
Determine the frequency of a radio wave with a wavelength of 300 m
c=fλ
3×108=f(300)
f=1×106 m

EXAMPLE 3
Determine the energy of gamma ray with a wavelength of 4×10-14 m.
hc
E=
λ

E=(6,63×10-34)(3×108)
(4,5×10-14)
=4,42×10-12 J

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PENETRATING ABILITY
 The penetrating ability of a wave refers to its ability to move through matter.
 The higher the energy, the greater the penetrating ability.
penetrating ability α Energy

penetrating ability α Frequency

ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION- SPECTRUM

INCREASING FREQUENCY

INCREASING ENERGY

INCREASING WAVELENGTH

Category Uses
Gamma rays Used to kill the bacteria in marshmallows and to sterilise medical
equipment
X – rays Used to image bone structures
Ultraviolet light Bees can see into the ultraviolet because flowers stand out more
clearly at this frequency
Visible light Used by humans to observe the world
Infrared Night vision, heat sensors, laser metal cutting
Microwave Microwave ovens, radar
Radio waves Radio, television broadcasts

QUESTION 1

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1.1 The diagram below shows two points X and Y on a wave train.

How many wavelengths separate point X and Y?

A 1
B 1,5
C 2
D 0,75 (2)
(transverse wave)

1.2 From the following, the electromagnetic wave with the longest wavelength is…
A Infrared
B Ultraviolet
C Microwave
D Visible light (2)
(Order in EMR-frequency vs wavelength)
[4]
QUESTION 2
The following table shows the frequencies of photons and the corresponding energies.

FREQUENCY ( ×1014 Hz) ENERGY (×10-20 J)

2 13,3
3 19,9
4 26,5

2.1 Define a photon. (definition) (2)

2.2 USING THE GRAPH SHEET PROVIDED, plot a graph of Frequencies
(x-axis) versus Energy of photon (y-axis).
Draw a line of best fit for this graph (5)
(Relationship between frequency & Energy using formula)
2.3 What is the relationship between frequency and energy of a photon? Same as in (1)
2.2
2.4 Calculate the gradient of this graph. (mathematical skill) (3)
2.5 What does the gradient represent? (use SI unit from the graph) (1)
2.6 Using the graph, determine the frequency of a photon of light if its energy is (1)
23×10-20 J. (read the graph from the line of the best fit)
2.7 Calculate the wavelength of this photon mentioned in question 2.6 (4)
[17]

QUESTION 3
The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum includes, amongst others, radio waves, ultraviolet light,
gamma rays and x-rays.

3.1 List TWO properties of EM waves. (2)

3.2 Arrange the above FOUR waves in order of decreasing wavelength. (2)
(order in EMR-frequency & wavelength)
3.3 Which of the above EM waves has the greatest penetrating ability? Give a reason. (3)
(Order in EMR-frequency vs wavelength and Energy of a photon)
3.4 A photon of ultraviolet light has 1,33×10 -18 J of energy associated with it. Calculate [5]
the wavelength of this wave.
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 [12]

QUESTION 4
The frequency and corresponding energy of electromagnetic waves are given in the table below.

WAVE FREQUENCY (Hz) ENERGY (J)

A 2×109 1,33×10-24
B 4×1012 2,65×10-21
15
C 3,5×10 2,32×10-18
D 1,8×1018 1,19×10-15
E f 4,97×10-14
4.1 Describe how an electromagnetic wave propagates. (2)

4.2 What is the relationship between frequency and energy of an electromagnetic

wave, as shown in the table above? (2)
(Order in EMR-frequency vs wavelength)

4.3 Calculate the:

4.3.1 Frequency of wave E (3)
4.3.2 Wavelength of wave D (3)

4.4 Which wave, A or B, has the higher penetrating ability? Give a reason for the (2)
answer. (relationship between Frequency and Energy)
[12]

QUESTION 5
The following are some electromagnetic waves and their corresponding wavelengths:

Electromagnetic Radiation Wavelength (m)

Wave Z 5×10-13
X-rays 2×10-10
Ultraviolet 3×10-7
Visible light 5×10-6
Infra-red 4×10-5
5.1 Name one source of ultraviolet radiation. (characteristic of EMR) (1)
5.2 Name the radiation that is used to observe objects and people in the absence of (1)
light. (characteristic of EMR)
5.3 Which ONE of the above waves has the highest frequency?
Use the data in the table to explain. (Refer to relationship between frequency
and wavelength using formula c=fλ) (2)
5.4 Calculate the frequency of ultraviolet light. (Application using c=fλ) (3)
5.5 Define a photon. (2)
5.6 hc (4)
Calculate the energy of a photon of x-rays. (Apply E= )
λ
5.7 Identify the electromagnetic radiation labelled Z. (1)
(related to order in frequency and wavelength)
[14]

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