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.
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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Displacement at a point of a wave is the distance that the wave medium is from its rest position at that point.
- Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave (up or down, or side to side).
- A displacement-distance graph of a wave is not a picture of the wave.
- The distance between two wave crests on a displacement-distance graph is equal to one wavelength.
- A positive (or negative) displacement shows part of the wave above (or below) the equilibrium position.
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.
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.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
