Wave behaviour

EasyMediumHard
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748
Question 29
Medium

Ripples are generated in a shallow tray of water to model waves.

a.

State the type of wave modelled by the ripples.

[1]
b.

Describe how the water molecules move as the wave travels across the tray.

[1]
c.

15 ripples hit the side of the tray in 12 seconds. Calculate the frequency of the ripples. Frequency = ____________ Hz

[2]
d.

Student A and Student B investigate the wave speed of these ripples.

Student A measures the frequency and wavelength of the water ripples. Table 1 shows his results:

ParameterValue
Frequency of ripples (Hz)1.5
Wavelength of ripples (m)0.08

Table 1

Calculate the wave speed of the ripples. Use the equation: wave speed=frequency×wavelength\text{wave speed} = \text{frequency} \times \text{wavelength}wave speed=frequency×wavelength Wave speed = ____________ m/s

[2]
e.

Student B measures the same ripples as student A. She measures:

  • The distance one ripple travels.
  • The time it takes the ripple to travel this distance.

Table 2 shows student B's results:

MeasurementValue
Distance ripple travels (m)1.80
Time taken (s)12.0

Table 2

Name the equipment student B uses to measure the distance and time.

  • Distance: ____________
  • Time: ____________
[2]
f.

Use the results in Table 2 to calculate the wave speed of the ripples. Wave speed = ____________ m/s

[3]
g.

Student A and student B obtained different answers for the wave speed of the ripples. Suggest why.

[1]

Wave behaviour Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Wave behaviour