Properties of Waves

Sound from a loudspeaker is heard on the other side of a room. Explain, in terms of energy and matter, what happens as the sound travels from the loudspeaker to the listener.

A diagram below shows water waves moving from the centre outward after a small object is dropped into a pond.

Describe what the diagram shows about how energy is transferred but not matter.

A mobile phone sends a text message using electromagnetic waves.

Explain how it is possible to listen to a concert live in a stadium but not be physically touched by the sound waves, even though energy is transferred from the speakers to your ears.

State two things that waves can transfer.

In a demonstration, a row of dominoes are stood on end in a line. The first domino is knocked over and the fall continues in a wave down the line. A student says this is just like a water wave. Discuss whether this is a correct analogy for how waves transfer energy.

State the unit of frequency.

Define amplitude as used in describing waves.

Which of the following is an example of a longitudinal wave?

What is meant by the wavelength of a wave?