P9 1a Section 1 Wave Properties What is a wave?

All waves; Transfer energy and information through a MEDIUM Transfer energy in the direction of travel Do not transfer matter Energy is transferred because of a VIBRATION in the medium

In the space below create a spider diagram of all the different types of waves you can think of. Check they meet the criteria above.

Waves

Two types of waves! Waves tend to have a repetitive back on forth motion we call oscillations. There are two types of waves and these can be described by the way their oscillations travel. Your teacher will show you a demonstration of these two. As best you can draw them in the spaces below.

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Transverse Waves Diagram;

The vibrations (oscillations) in a transverse wave are 90 (perpendicular) to the direction of energy transfer. An example of a transverse wave is lights. Longitudinal Waves Diagram;

The vibrations (oscillations) in a longitudinal wave are parallel to the direction of energy transfer An example of longitudinal wave is sound.

What are the basic wave properties? For this section we need to reintroduce some key words that you would have come across from KS3! Use your text book to write a short definition of the following words; Wavelength () is the length between the top of each vibration. measured in: metres Frequency (f) is the number of vibrations per second. measured in units of: Hertz (Hz) Period is how long it takes for one cycle. measured in units of: time Amplitude is the height of the wave measured in units of (careful):

P9 1a Wave speed is the speed of the wave measured in units of:

Now we have reintroduced the language we can apply these key words to a model wave. Your teacher will show you a demonstration using a slinky. Note how the wave properties changes with the energy input. Use what you have learnt to label the diagram below.

Displacement / m

Wave Length

Amplitu de
Time / s

(Be careful, the x axis is measuring time, not displacement!)

Displacement / m

displacement / m displace ment/ s

This time the x axis is measuring time

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The equations! As you witnessed from the slinky demo, there is a link between the amount of energy transferred by a wave, its wavelength and its frequency. What do you think this relationship may be? Now we are familiar with the properties of a wave there are two equations you should learn. Use your textbooks to finish the following. 1. Wave Speed (m/s) = frequency (f) x wave length () v=fx 2. Frequency (Hz) = 1/Time Period 3. Time Period = 1/frequency Question Practice Q1. BBC World Service broadcasts at 668,000 Hz, the wavelength of the broadcasting wave is 450 m, at what speed does it travel through the air. Write down the equation you use and show your working. Equation: Wave Speed (m/s) = frequency (f) x wave length () Working: 668,000 x 450 = 300,600,000 Speed = __300,600,000 m/s__ Q2. Mains electricity is an oscillating potential difference. It takes 0.02s for one of these oscillations. What is the time period and frequency of mains electricity? Write down the equation you use and show your working. Equation: Frequency (Hz) = 1/Time Period Working: Time Period is 2 oscillations 0.02 x 2 = 0.04 1/0.04 = 25 Time Period ____0.04s____ Frequency ____25Hz____

Q3. A man in a boat bobs up down once every 5s due to the water waves passing under him. What is the time period and frequency of the water waves? Write down the equation you use and show your workings. Equation: Frequency (Hz) = 1/Time Period Working: 1/5 = 0.2 bobs per second

P9 1a Time Period _____5s______ Frequency ____0.2Hz_____

Q4. What is the frequency of a wave which has a wavelength of 5m and is travelling at a speed of 340 m/s. Write down the equation you use and show your working. Equation: Wave Speed (m/s) = frequency (f) x wave length () Working: 340/5 = 68 Frequency ____68Hz____

Q5. A singer performs in a concert hall 80m long. He sings a middle C which has a frequency of 256 Hz. People at the back of the hall hear the note 0.24s after it is sung. (a) What is the speed of sound in the hall? Write down the equation you use and show your working.

Equation Working Speed of sound __________

(b) What is the wavelength of the sound wave? Write down the equation you use and show your working.

Equation Working Wavelength ______________ Before moving on, make sure you have written your UNITS for each answer.