Properties of Waves Assessment worksheet with diagrams and questions on wave characteristics.

Let’s go step by step to solve each part of the worksheet.

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Matching Words to Diagram Labels (Questions 1–5)

We are given a transverse wave diagram with labeled points: A, B, C, D, E.

Let’s recall what each term means:

- Crest: The highest point of the wave → That’s A
- Trough: The lowest point of the wave → That’s D
- Amplitude: The height from rest position to crest (or trough) → That’s B (vertical arrow from center line to top)
- Rest position: The middle line where the wave would be if there was no motion → That’s E (horizontal line through center)
- Wavelength: Distance between two identical points on consecutive waves (e.g., crest to crest or trough to trough) → That’s C (horizontal double-arrow spanning one full cycle)

So matching:

1. Crest → A
2. Trough → D
3. Amplitude → B
4. Rest position → E
5. Wavelength → C

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Question 6: Draw a transverse wave and show directions

In a transverse wave:
- The wave moves forward (say, left to right).
- The medium (like water or rope particles) moves up and down — perpendicular to the wave direction.

Drawing instructions (since we can’t draw here, I’ll describe):

→ Draw a sine-like wave going left to right.
→ Add an arrow along the horizontal axis pointing right → this is “direction wave is traveling”.
→ Pick a particle on the wave (like at a crest), and draw a small vertical arrow up or down → this shows “direction media is moving” (up/down).

Example: If you shake a rope up and down, the wave travels along the rope, but each part of the rope only goes up and down.

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Question 7: Draw a longitudinal wave and show directions

In a longitudinal wave (like sound in air):
- The wave moves forward (left to right).
- The medium moves back and forth *along the same direction* as the wave — compressions and rarefactions.

Drawing instructions:

→ Draw a series of vertical lines close together (compressions) and far apart (rarefactions) along a horizontal line.
→ Add an arrow along the horizontal axis pointing right → “direction wave is traveling”.
→ Pick one particle (dot) in a compression zone, and draw a small horizontal arrow showing it moving right or left → “direction media is moving” (same direction as wave).

Example: Pushing and pulling a slinky horizontally — coils move back and forth while the pulse moves forward.

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Question 8: Explain how surface waves work + drawing

Surface waves happen at the boundary between two mediums — like ocean waves at the surface of water and air.

How they work:
- Particles move in circular paths.
- At the surface, circles are largest; deeper down, circles get smaller.
- Energy moves forward, but water doesn’t travel with the wave — it just loops around.

Drawing idea:
→ Draw a wavy line for water surface.
→ Below it, draw several dots representing water particles.
→ Around each dot, draw a small circle (clockwise or counterclockwise) to show their motion.
→ Add a big arrow above the surface pointing right → direction wave energy travels.

Think of a floating ball on ocean waves — it bobs up, forward, down, backward in a circle as the wave passes.

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Final Answer:

1. Crest → A
2. Trough → D
3. Amplitude → B
4. Rest position → E
5. Wavelength → C

6. Transverse wave: Wave moves horizontally; medium moves vertically (perpendicular).
7. Longitudinal wave: Wave and medium both move horizontally (parallel).
8. Surface waves: Water particles move in circles; energy moves forward. Drawing should show circular particle motion under a wavy surface with directional arrow for wave travel.