Transverse and Longitudinal Waves GCSE combined science physics edexel higher

Paper 1

What do waves transfer?

Energy.

What are the two types of waves?

Transverse and longitudinal waves.

Describe the differences between transverse wave and longitudinal wave?

Transverse waves- particles move at a right angle to the direction of the wave. Doesn’t require medium. I is a light wave.Longitudinal waves- particles move parallel to the direction of the wave. Requires a medium and it is a sound wave.

Wavelength

Distance between two waves.

Amplitude

Height of a wave.

Crest

Top of a wave.

Trough

Bottom of a wave.

Compression

Where particles are closest together.

Rarefaction

Where particles are furthest apart.

The wave created by moving the end of the spring toy up and down.

Transverse wave.

The wave created by moving the end of a spring toy back and forth parallel to the length of the spring.

Longitudinal wave.

A sound wave

Longitudinal wave.

An ocean wave

Transverse wave.

An electromagnetic wave

Transverse wave.

Radio waves are electromagnetic waves. Describe how radio waves are different from sound waves. (4)

Radio waves- transverse waves/electromagnetic waves that do not require a medium meaning they can move through a vacuum. Have the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. Sound waves- mechanical waves that must travel through a medium such as air, water or solids. They move parallel to the direction of the wave’s motion creating compression and rarefaction.

Describe how switching the desk lamp on and off shows that light waves transfer energy. (2)

Light waves travels through electromagnetic radiation. When we switch on the lamp, the vibrations of electric magnetic fields will release energy to its surrounding environment. Which the reason why the area around the lamp will feel warmer when we light it up.