AQA · Physics · 8463

GCSE Physics: Transverse and longitudinal waves

Waves · AQA GCSE Physics (8463), specification point 4.6.1.1. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Transverse and longitudinal waves", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

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  1. What are the two types of wave?

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    Transverse and longitudinal.

  2. Ripples on a water surface are an example of which type of wave?

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    A transverse wave.

  3. Sound waves travelling through air are which type of wave?

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    Longitudinal waves.

  4. Longitudinal waves show areas of ? and rarefaction.

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    compression

  5. Longitudinal waves show areas of compression and ?.

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    rarefaction

  6. In a transverse wave, how do the oscillations lie relative to the direction of energy transfer?

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    Perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of energy transfer.

  7. In a longitudinal wave, how do the oscillations lie relative to the direction of energy transfer?

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    Parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

  8. What is a compression in a longitudinal wave?

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    A region where the particles are pushed closer together (higher pressure/density).

  9. What is a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

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    A region where the particles are spread further apart (lower pressure/density).

  10. What evidence shows that water ripples transfer the wave, not the water itself?

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    A floating object (e.g. a cork or duck) bobs up and down in place as ripples pass; it is not carried along with the wave.

  11. What evidence shows that a sound wave travels through air without the air itself travelling?

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    A candle flame in front of a loudspeaker flickers but is not blown away — the air particles only vibrate back and forth about fixed positions.

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