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CAIE A-Level Physics 7.2 Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

Practise comparing transverse and longitudinal waves by particle vibration and energy transfer, and interpreting displacement, amplitude, wavelength, compression and phase…

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
AS

Exam points

  • compare transverse and longitudinal waves using particle vibration direction and energy transfer
  • interpret graphical representations of displacement, amplitude, wavelength, compression, rarefaction and phase

Covered syllabus points

7.2.1—Transverse and longitudinal waves7.2.2—Graphical representations of transverse and longitudinal waves

7.2 Transverse and longitudinal waves question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

A sound wave travels through air. Describe the motion of the air particles relative to the direction of travel of the sound wave.

7.2 Transverse and longitudinal waves question 2

[Maximum number: 4]

Question (a)

(a)

A progressive longitudinal wave travels through a medium from left to right. Fig. 4.1 shows the positions of some of the particles of the medium at time t0t_{0} and a graph showing the particle displacements at the same time t0t_{0}.

Fig. 4.1

Fig. 4.1

Particle displacements to the right of their equilibrium positions are shown as positive on the graph and particle displacements to the left are shown as negative on the graph.

The period of the wave is T.

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

On Fig. 4.1, sketch a line on the graph to represent the displacements of the particles for the longitudinal wave at time t0+T4t_{0}+\frac{T}{4}.

[ 3 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

State the direction of motion of particle Z at time t0+T4t_{0}+\frac{T}{4}.

[ 1 ]
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