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1. Types of Wave

2. • To name an example of a transverse and a longitudinal wave.
• To describe the direction of energy transfer in different waves.
• To compare the properties of transverse and longitudinal waves.
To understand how different waves transfer energy.
Learning Objective
Success Criteria

3. Types of Wave
A wave is a means of transferring energy from one store to another. There
are two main types of wave.
Some waves move, or oscillate,
in the same direction as the
energy they are transferring.
These waves are known as
longitudinal waves.
Other waves oscillate at right
angles to the direction of
energy transfer. These waves
are known as transverse
waves.

4. direction of oscillations and
direction of energy transfer
Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal waves transfer energy
parallel to the direction in which the
waves oscillate. They can be modelled
by pushing a spring horizontally.
The energy is transferred horizontally
along the spring, in the same
direction the waves are moving in.
The spring returns to its original
position once the energy has been
transferred. This is because waves
do not transfer matter, only energy.
Sound waves are an example of longitudinal waves.

5. compression
rarefaction
Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal waves contain areas
where the particles are closer
together than average.
These areas are called compressions.
On a spring, areas of compression are
shown where the coils are closer
together.
The places on the spring where the
coils are stretched out model
rarefactions. These are areas on a
longitudinal wave where the particles
are further apart than average.

6. a b
c
Longitudinal Waves
Label the key features of a longitudinal wave.

7. compression
direction of oscillations and direction of energy transfer
rarefaction
Longitudinal Waves Answers

8. Transverse Waves
Transverse waves transfer energy at right angles to the direction in which
the waves oscillate. They can be modelled by moving a spring up and down.
The waves on the spring move vertically but the energy is being transferred
horizontally.
When energy stops being transferred the spring returns to its resting
position because it has not transferred any matter. Waves only transfer
energy.
Light waves are an example of transverse waves.

9. Transverse Waves
Transverse waves contain areas which are higher and lower than the
resting position. The spring is in its resting position when it is held
between two people without being stretched or moved.
The highest point a transverse wave reaches above its resting position is
called a peak.
The lowest point a transverse wave reaches below its resting position is
called a trough.
peak
trough

10. d
c
Label the key features of transverse waves.
Transverse Waves
a
b

11. direction of
oscillations
direction of energy transfer
Label the key features of transverse waves.
Transverse Waves Answers
peak
trough

12. energy is transferred
parallel to the
direction of the
oscillations
energy is transferred
at right angles to the
direction of the
oscillations
has peaks and
troughs
has compressions
and rarefactions
sound waves are an
example of these
light waves are an
example of these
Which Wave?
Decide whether the cards below describe a longitudinal or transverse wave.

13. Which Wave? Answers
These cards all describe longitudinal waves:
energy is transferred
parallel to the
direction of the
oscillations
has compressions
and rarefactions
sound waves are an
example of these

14. Which Wave? Answers
These cards all describe transverse waves:
energy is transferred
at right angles to the
direction of the
oscillations
has peaks
and troughs
light waves are an
example of these

15. Wave Properties
A piece of equipment called an oscilloscope can be used to look at how the
properties of waves change.
Plugging a microphone
into an oscilloscope allows
the sound waves produced
when you speak to be
converted into an electrical
signal. This is then
displayed on the screen.

16. Which type of wave is shown in the
diagram?
The wave in the diagram is a transverse
wave. The horizontal line shows the
resting position of the wave.
We can use diagrams like these to
represent the properties of waves.
All waves have three main properties:
• wavelength
• amplitude
• frequency
Wave Properties
resting position

17. An oscilloscope display shows a pattern of repeating waves.
The wavelength is the distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent
point on an adjacent wave.
Wavelength is measured in metres (m).
Wave Properties
wavelength wavelength

18. Wave One
Task One
How do we describe the wavelength of different waves?
Compare the wavelengths of Wave Two and Wave Three to Wave One.
Wave Two Wave Three

19. Task One Answers
Wave Two has a shorter wavelength than Wave One.
(The wavelength of Wave Two is half as long as the wavelength of Wave One.)
Wave One Wave Two

20. Task One Answers
Wave Three has a longer wavelength than Wave One.
(The wavelength of Wave Three is twice as long as the wavelength of Wave
One.)
Wave One Wave Three

21. The amplitude of a wave is the
distance between the wave’s resting
position and the furthest point from it.
The furthest point from the resting
position of a wave is a peak or a
trough.
Amplitude is measured in metres (m).
Wave Properties
amplitude

22. How can we describe the amplitude of different waves?
Compare the amplitudes of Wave Two and Wave Three to Wave One.
Task Two
Wave One Wave Two Wave Three

23. Task Two Answers
Wave Two has a greater amplitude than Wave One.
(The amplitude of Wave Two is twice as large as the amplitude of Wave One.)
Wave One Wave Two

24. Task Two Answers
Wave Three has a smaller amplitude than Wave One.
(The amplitude of Wave Three is half the size of the amplitude of Wave One.)
Wave One Wave Three

25. The frequency of a wave is the number
of waves passing a point each second.
Waves with a higher frequency appear
closer together when viewed on an
oscilloscope.
Waves with a lower frequency appear
further apart when viewed on an
oscilloscope.
Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Wave Properties

26. How can we describe the frequency of different waves?
Compare the frequencies of Wave Two and Wave Three to Wave One.
Task Three
Wave One Wave Two Wave Three

27. Task Three Answers
Wave Two has a greater frequency than Wave One.
(The frequency of Wave Two is twice as large as the frequency of Wave One.)
Wave One Wave Two

28. Task Three Answers
Wave Three has a lower frequency than Wave One.
(The frequency of Wave Three is half of the frequency of Wave One.)
Wave One Wave Three

29. Complete the Comparing Waves worksheet by comparing the amplitude,
frequency and wavelength of each pair of oscilloscope traces.
Comparing Waves

30. Wave A Wave B Comparison
Comparing Waves Answers
The amplitude of wave B
is greater than the
amplitude of wave A.
(The amplitude of wave B
is twice that of wave A.)
The frequency and
wavelength of both
waves are the same.

31. Wave A Wave B Comparison
Comparing Waves Answers
The amplitude of wave B
is smaller than the
amplitude of wave A.
(The amplitude of wave B
is half that of wave A.)
The frequency and
wavelength of both
waves are the same.

32. Wave A Wave B Comparison
Comparing Waves Answers
The frequency of wave B
is greater than the
frequency of wave A.
(The frequency of wave B
is twice that of wave A.)
The wavelength of wave
B is shorter than that of
wave A.
(The wavelength of wave
B is half the length of
wave A.)
The amplitude of both
waves is the same.
Wave A Wave B Comparison

33. Wave A Wave B Comparison
Comparing Waves Answers
The amplitude of wave B
is smaller than the
amplitude of wave A.
(The amplitude of wave B
is half that of wave A.)
The frequency and
wavelength of both
waves are the same.

34. Comparing Waves Answers
Wave A Wave B Comparison
The amplitude of wave B is greater
than the amplitude of wave A.
(The amplitude of wave B is three
times bigger than that of wave A.)
The frequency of wave B is smaller
than the frequency of wave A.
(The frequency of wave B is four
times
smaller than the frequency of wave
A.)
The wavelength of wave B is longer
than the wavelength of wave A.
(The wavelength of wave B is four
times longer than that of wave A.)

35. Comparing Waves Answers
Wave A Wave B Comparison
The amplitude of wave B is smaller
than the amplitude of wave A.
(The amplitude of wave B is six times
smaller than the amplitude of wave
A.)
The frequency of wave B is smaller
than the frequency of wave A.
(The frequency of wave B is four
times
smaller than the frequency of wave
A.)
The wavelength of wave B is longer
than the wavelength of wave A.
(The wavelength of wave B is four
times longer than the wavelength of

36. Match and Draw
Draw one line from each key word to its definition.

37. Match and Draw Answers
Key Word Definition
amplitude
The distance between the wave’s resting position and
the furthest point from it.
compression
Areas on a wave where the particles are closer
together than average.
frequency The number of waves passing a point each second.
longitudinal
waves
Transfer energy parallel to the direction the waves
oscillate.
peak
The highest point a transverse wave reaches above its
resting position.

38. Match and Draw Answers
Key Word Definition
rarefaction
Areas on a wave where the particles are further apart
than average.
transverse
waves
The lowest point a transverse wave reaches below its
resting position.
trough
Areas on a wave where the particles are closer
together than average.
wavelength
The distance from a point on one wave to the
equivalent point on an adjacent wave.

39. True or False?
Decide whether each of the following statements about waves is true or false.
Write a corrected version for each statement you believe to be false.
Statement
True or
False?
Correction
waves can be transverse or
longitudinal
light waves are an example of a
longitudinal wave
transverse waves have areas of
compression and rarefaction
the frequency of a wave is the number
of waves passing a point each second
transverse waves transfer energy
parallel to the direction the waves
oscillate

40. True or False? Answers
Statement
True or
False?
Correction
waves can be transverse or
longitudinal
true
light waves are an example of a
longitudinal wave
false
light waves are an example
of a transverse wave
transverse waves have areas of
compression and rarefaction
false
longitudinal waves have areas
of compression and rarefaction
the frequency of a wave is the number
of waves passing a point each second
true
transverse waves transfer energy
parallel to the direction the waves
oscillate
false
transverse waves transfer
energy at right angles to the
direction the waves oscillate

41. True or False?
Decide whether each of the following statements about waves is true or false.
Write a corrected version for each statement you believe to be false.
Statement
True or
False?
Correction
waves transfer energy and matter
longitudinal waves transfer energy
parallel to the direction the waves
oscillate
wavelength is the distance between
a peak and a trough on a wave
waves with a low frequency appear
close together when viewed using an
oscilloscope
when the amplitude of a wave
doubles its wavelength halves

42. True or False? Answers
Statement
True or
False?
Correction
waves transfer energy and matter false
waves do not transfer matter, only
energy
longitudinal waves transfer energy
parallel to the direction the waves
oscillate
true
wavelength is the distance between
a peak and a trough on a wave
false
wavelength is the distance from a
point on one wave to the
equivalent point on an adjacent
wave
waves with a low frequency appear
close together when viewed using an
oscilloscope
false
waves with a high frequency
appear close together when viewed
using an oscilloscope
when the amplitude of a wave the amplitude of a wave does not