New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

Transverse waves

I can label the parts of a rope or water wave that can be measured, and I can interpret and sketch scale drawings of transverse waves.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

Transverse waves

I can label the parts of a rope or water wave that can be measured, and I can interpret and sketch scale drawings of transverse waves.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Displacement at a point of a wave is the distance that the wave medium is from its rest position at that point.
  2. Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave (up or down, or side to side).
  3. A displacement-distance graph of a wave is not a picture of the wave.
  4. The distance between two wave crests on a displacement-distance graph is equal to one wavelength.
  5. A positive (or negative) displacement shows part of the wave above (or below) the equilibrium position.

Common misconception

A displacement-distance graph is a picture of a wave, with 1:1 vertical and horizontal scaling.

Interpret and sketch graphs of waves that are compared to pictures of each wave.

Keywords

  • Crest - the crest of a wave is the top or peak of the wave.

  • Trough - the trough of a wave is the lowest point of the wave.

  • Wavelength - wavelength of a transverse wave is the distance between one wave crest (or trough) and the next.

  • Amplitude - the amplitude of a wave is the maximum distance that each part of the wave moves from its normal position as a wave passes.

  • Displacement - the displacement of a wave is the distance that each part of the wave moves from its rest position as a wave passes.

Practice interpreting displacement-distance graphs before asking students to sketch them. Focus on reading the axes each time to identify what is represented on each one and the scale. Ask how each wave would differ from its representation.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the top of a wave called?
Correct answer: a crest
a trough
the rest position
Q2.
A water wave with a bigger amplitude is ...
...faster.
...longer.
...shorter.
Correct answer: ...taller.
Q3.
A sound wave is made by an object that is .
Correct Answer: vibrating, oscillating, vibrate, oscillate
Q4.
How does a rope move when a wave is sent along it, by shaking one end?
An image in a quiz
it moves forwards with the wave
it moves forwards, but slower than the wave
Correct answer: it moves up and down
it moves backwards and forwards
Q5.
How does a ball floating on water move as a water wave passes by?
An image in a quiz
it moves forwards with the wave
it moves forwards, but slower than the wave
Correct answer: it moves up and down
it moves forwards and backwards
Q6.
What is not transferred forwards with a water wave?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: water
an oscillation
energy

6 Questions

Q1.
How is the amplitude of a wave on a rope measured?
An image in a quiz
the distance between two wave crests along the rope
half the distance between two wave crests along the rope
the distance from the top of a crest down to the bottom of a trough
Correct answer: half the distance from the top of a crest down to the bottom of a trough
Q2.
Which arrow shows the displacement of a wave on a rope?
An image in a quiz
arrow A
Correct answer: arrow B
arrow C
Q3.
Which arrow shows the wavelength of this wave?
An image in a quiz
A
Correct answer: B
C
Q4.
What is the wavelength of this wave?
An image in a quiz
7 cm
14 cm
1.5 m
Correct answer: 3.0 m
Q5.
What is the amplitude of this wave?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 7 cm
14 cm
1.5 m
3 m
Q6.
What is the displacement of this wave at 9 m along it?
An image in a quiz
14 cm
7 cm
Correct answer: 0 cm