Name_____________________________________________________Period_______________
Waves Study Guide
1. Label the following on the wave below and describe each:
a. Wavelength- distance from crest to crest or trough to trough for a transverse wave
(compression to compression, etc for a longitudinal)
b. Frequency- How many times a wave passes a point in a given amt of time (exwavelengths per second)
c. Amplitude- the distance from the midpoint of a wave to the crest (or midpoint to trough=
same distance)
d. Crest – the high point of a transverse wave
e. Trough- the low point of a transverse wave
crest
1m= wavelength
Amplitude (in m)
trough
1 wave per second= frequency
2. What property of a sound is controlled by :
a. amplitude? volume
b. frequency?_pitch
3. List the differences between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves. (or create a Venn
diagram)
ELECTROMAGNETIC
Don’t require a medium
MECHANICAL
Require a medium
Fastest in a vacuum (slowest in
solid)
Transverse
Fastest in a solid (slowest in
gas, can’t move in a vacuum)
Transverse, longitudinal or
surface
BOTH
Have energy, frequency,
wavelength, amplitude, etc
4. What is the difference between the way a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave move particles?
Transverse= perpendicular to the wave
Longitudinal= parallel to the wave
5. Draw a longitudinal wave. Label the compressions and rarefactions.
6. Classify each of the following:
Type of wave
Electromagnetic or
Mechanical?
Wave made with a
Mechanical
slinky
Light wave
Electromagnetic
Transverse or
Longitudinal?
Longitudinal
Does it require a
medium?
YES
Transverse
NO
7. Why is the speed of a mechanical wave different in solids, liquids and gases?
Mechanical waves require the particles in a medium to bump into each other for the energy to travel.
The particles in a solid are much closer together than a liquid or gas so it is easier for the energy to
move quickly.
8.
Draw a picture for each of the following wave interactions:
Reflection
Refraction
Diffraction
9. Describe what happens to the sound of a train whistle as it approaches
you. Why does this occur?
As the train approaches you , the sound will appear to be a higher pitch than
it actually is because the waves are being “smooshed” together to seem like a
higher frequency.
10. What happens to the sound when the train passes you and is moving
away?
As the train recedes away from you , the sound will appear to be a lower
pitch than it actually is because the waves are being “stretched” to seem like
a lower frequency.
11. What is constructive interference? Draw a picture!
When two waves are in sync (the crests occur
together, etc), the sound will get louder.
12. What is destructive interference? Draw a picture!
When two waves are not in sync, the crest and trough can cancel
each other out and create a quieter sound.
13. What are nodes and antinodes (in stationary waves)? What causes them?
A stationary wave appears to be staying “stationary”
when in fact it is two waves moving in opposite
directions interacting.
The antinodes are the points in the wave that have lots of
vibrations due to constructive interference.
The nodes are the points on the wave that have no
vibrations due to destructive interference.
14. Consider the electromagnetic spectrum as you answer these 6 questions.
a. Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum has the highest frequency? Gamma
b. Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum has the longest wavelength? Radio
c. Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum will travel with the fastest speed? Gamma
d. Which color of the visible light spectrum has the greatest frequency? Violet
e. Which color of the visible light spectrum has the greatest wavelength? Red
f. Which region of the electromagnetic spectrum has the most energy? Gamma
15. Which property of the visible light spectrum determines what color you see?
Wavelength