KS4 Waves: Character

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Energy and Waves : Introduction

Waves carry energy from one place to another.

There are 2 main types of wave you need to know about:

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aves
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Waves : Introduction
TRANSVERSE WAVES

Make a transverse wave using a rope between two

people like this :

What type of energy is the wave transferring? kinetic

In which direction is the energy moving?

In which direction is each part of the rope moving?

[put a marker on the rope to help you see]
Waves : Introduction
TRANSVERSE WAVES

You should have noticed that each part of the wave

moves at right angles [90º] to the direction the energy is
moving in:
Movement
Particle

Energy Movement

Make a labelled diagram of your rope like this :

Waves : Introduction
TRANSVERSE WAVES

Crest / Peak

+Displacement

a
 Time

a



Trough
Wavelength and amplitude

What is the wavelength () of a transverse wave?

It is the distance between two consecutive

points on the wave.

What is the amplitude (a) of a transverse wave?

It is the half-height of the wave, the bigger the
amplitude of the wave, the more energy it has.
Animation to demonstrate wavelength,
amplitude and frequency
Waves : Introduction

LONGITUDINAL WAVES

Make a longitudinal wave using a spring between two

people like this :

What type of energy is the wave transferring? kinetic

In which direction is the energy moving?
In which direction is each part of the spring moving?
[put a marker on the spring to help you see]
Waves : Introduction

LONGITUDINAL WAVES

You should have noticed that each part of the wave moves in
the same direction as the direction the energy is moving in:

particle
movement

energy movement

When you speak to someone, the air vibrates as a

longitudinal wave :
Waves : Introduction

LONGITUDINAL WAVES

Make a labelled diagram of your spring like this :

Rarefaction

Rarefaction
Compression

Compression


Transverse or longitudinal?

Transverse Longitudinal

light sound

water p-waves

s-waves ultrasound

ultraviolet

light ultrasound
sound
water p-waves
s-waves ultraviolet
Waves : Frequency

The number of waves passing a point each second is

called FREQUENCY [ƒ]
Frequency [ƒ] is measured in hertz [Hz]
Frequency [ƒ] = Number of waves passed  Time [s]
1 wave per second = 1 Hz
If the wave below passes a point in 1 second, what is
it’s frequency?
Waves : Frequency
Complete the table

Wave Cycles Time (s) Freq (Hz)

6 2 3

10 2 5

1 2 0.5
Waves : wave speed

Imagine waves on the sea travelling over a shipwreck:

 = 2m

1 second later :
Waves : wave speed

In the diagram, 5 waves pass the shipwreck in 1

second………………….so the frequency = 5 Hz

The wavelength [] = 2 m

This means that the waves travel 10 m in 1 s
……….………………so the speed is 10 m/s
So, in this example, the
frequency X wavelength = speed
5 X 2 = 10
Hz m m/s
This is usually written as :
Waves : wave speed

V = x 

For the Higher Tier papers, you will need to be able to

change the subject of the formula :

=V and =V

Formula triangles

Formula triangles help you to rearrange formula.

The triangle for the wave equation is shown below:

Whatever quantity you are trying to find cover it up

and it will leave you with the calculation required.

…and you are left

So if you were with the sum…
trying to find
f = v
frequency, f…..

v
…you would
cover f up…
 f 

x
Wave Speed – complete the table

Wave ? [Hz]  [m] V [m/s]

Water
2 1.5 3.0
wave
Mexican
0.2 40 8
wave
Musical
256 1.32 339
note
Rope
3 0.8 2.4
Ultra-
35,000 0.01 339
sound
Energy and Waves : A Question

The photograph
shows waves
travelling across the
1m surface of a pond.


1) Is this an example of a transverse or longitudinal

wave? transverse
2) Estimate the wavelength of the wave: 0.15m
3) If the frequency of the wave is 0.2 Hz, calculate
the speed of the wave: 0.03m/s
Which wave below is a longitudinal wave?

A. Ultraviolet

B. Water

C. Light

D. Sound 
What are the units of frequency?

A. Metres

B. Hertz metres

C. Hertz/metres

D. Hertz 
A wave has a wavelength of 6m and a
frequency of 5Hz.
What is the speed of the wave?

A. 1.2 m/s

B. 0.88 m/s

C. 3.0 m/s

D. 30 m/s 