Wave Properties practice worksheet - Free Printable

Let's go through each question in the Wave Properties Exercise and solve them step by step with explanations.

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1. Short-wavelength waves have _________ energy than long-wavelength waves.

(more/less/same)

✔ Answer: more

🔹 Explanation: Energy of a wave is directly related to its frequency. Since wavelength and frequency are inversely related (via $ v = f \lambda $), shorter wavelengths mean higher frequencies, which means more energy.

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2. High-frequency waves have _________ energy than low-frequency waves.

(more/less/same)

✔ Answer: more

🔹 Explanation: The energy of a wave (especially electromagnetic waves) is proportional to its frequency ($ E = hf $). So higher frequency = more energy.

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3. Wave speed is equal to wavelength multiplied by _________________.

✔ Answer: frequency

🔹 Explanation: The wave equation is:
$$
v = \lambda \times f
$$
where:
- $ v $ = wave speed,
- $ \lambda $ = wavelength,
- $ f $ = frequency.

So, wave speed = wavelength × frequency.

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4. The highest parts of a transverse wave are called _________________.

✔ Answer: crests

🔹 Explanation: In a transverse wave (like water or light waves), the crest is the peak (highest point) above the rest position.

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5. The parts of a longitudinal wave where particles of the medium are closest together are called _________________.

✔ Answer: compressions

🔹 Explanation: In longitudinal waves (like sound), compressions are regions where particles are squeezed together (high pressure).

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6. A disturbance in matter that transfers energy from place to place is called __________

✔ Answer: a wave

🔹 Explanation: This is the definition of a wave: a disturbance that transfers energy through a medium without transferring matter.

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7. The part of a longitudinal wave where particles of the medium are spread farthest apart is the _________________

✔ Answer: rarefaction

🔹 Explanation: Rarefactions are the regions in a longitudinal wave where particles are spread out (low pressure), opposite to compressions.

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8. A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction that the wave travels is called _________________

✔ Answer: transverse wave

🔹 Explanation: In a transverse wave, particle motion is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Example: waves on a string.

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9. The part of a transverse wave where particles of the medium are lowest is the _________________

✔ Answer: trough

🔹 Explanation: The trough is the lowest point of a transverse wave, opposite to the crest.

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10. A wave in which particles of the medium vibrate in the same direction that the wave travels is called _________________

✔ Answer: longitudinal wave

🔹 Explanation: In a longitudinal wave, particles move parallel to the direction of wave travel. Example: sound waves.

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11. The term for matter through which a mechanical wave travels: _________________

✔ Answer: medium

🔹 Explanation: A medium is the material (solid, liquid, gas) through which a mechanical wave propagates.

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12. What is the speed of a wave that has a wavelength of 0.5 meters and a frequency of 2 waves per second?

✔ Answer: 1 m/s

🔹 Explanation: Use the wave equation:
$$
v = \lambda \times f = 0.5\, \text{m} \times 2\, \text{Hz} = 1\, \text{m/s}
$$

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13. Assume that a wave has a fixed speed. If the frequency of the wave increases, its wavelength _________________

(increases/decreases/stays the same)

✔ Answer: decreases

🔹 Explanation: From $ v = \lambda f $, if $ v $ is constant, then $ \lambda $ and $ f $ are inversely proportional. So, increasing frequency → decreasing wavelength.

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14. When one wave passes a point every second, the frequency of the waves is ______ Hz

✔ Answer: 1 Hz

🔹 Explanation: Frequency is the number of waves passing a point per second. One wave per second = 1 Hz.

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15. The _________________ of a transverse wave is the distance between a crest and the resting position.

✔ Answer: amplitude

🔹 Explanation: Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the rest (equilibrium) position. It measures the height from the rest position to the crest (or depth to the trough).

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✔ Final Answers Summary:

1. more
2. more
3. frequency
4. crests
5. compressions
6. a wave
7. rarefaction
8. transverse wave
9. trough
10. longitudinal wave
11. medium
12. 1 m/s
13. decreases
14. 1
15. amplitude

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