Wave Properties exercise - Free Printable

Let's solve each part of this worksheet step by step and explain the reasoning behind each answer.

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1. Complete the following statements:

• Waves transfer ____________ without transferring ____________.
✔ Energy, matter
👉 *Waves transfer energy from one place to another, but they do not carry matter with them. The particles in the medium oscillate but return to their original position.*

• Mechanical waves _________ travel through empty space.
✔ cannot
👉 *Mechanical waves (like sound or water waves) require a medium to travel through, so they cannot propagate in a vacuum.*

• Electromagnetic waves ________ travel through empty space.
✔ can
👉 *Electromagnetic waves (like light or radio waves) do not need a medium and can travel through a vacuum.*

• Transverse waves move _______________ to the direction of the wave.
✔ perpendicular
👉 *In transverse waves, the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (e.g., waves on a string).*

• Longitudinal waves move _______________ to the direction of the wave.
✔ parallel
👉 *In longitudinal waves, the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation (e.g., sound waves).*

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2. Use words in the box to complete the diagram.

Words available:
Hertz, period, metres, dip, seconds, peak, wavelength, trough, crest, frequency, amplitude, oscillation, equilibrium line

Now let’s label the diagram:

- Top arrow pointing to the highest point of the wave:
✔ crest
*(Also called "peak" — both are acceptable, but "crest" is more commonly used for transverse waves)*

- Arrow pointing to the lowest point of the wave:
✔ trough
*(Sometimes called "dip", but "trough" is standard terminology)*

- Horizontal double-headed arrow across one full wave cycle:
✔ wavelength
*(Distance between two consecutive crests or troughs)*

- Vertical arrow from equilibrium line to the top of the wave:
✔ amplitude
*(Maximum displacement from equilibrium)*

- Dashed horizontal line through the center:
✔ equilibrium line
*(The rest position of the medium)*

So the labels should be:

- Top of wave → crest
- Bottom of wave → trough
- Horizontal span → wavelength
- Vertical height → amplitude
- Dashed line → equilibrium line

> Note: Some boxes might be labeled differently depending on layout, but based on typical diagrams:
> - Left bottom box: equilibrium line
> - Middle vertical box: amplitude
> - Top horizontal box: wavelength
> - Right bottom box: trough
> - Right top box: crest

✔ Final labeling:
- Left box (dashed line): equilibrium line
- Middle vertical box: amplitude
- Top horizontal box: wavelength
- Right bottom box: trough
- Right top box: crest

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3. Select which property of a wave is being described in each statement.

We’ll match each description to the correct term.

1. The top of a wave.
→ ✔ crest (or peak)
*(Both are correct; "crest" is more standard for transverse waves)*

2. The bottom of a wave.
→ ✔ trough

3. The number of waves that pass in 1 second.
→ ✔ frequency
*(Measured in Hertz)*

4. The time it takes for one wave to pass or complete a cycle.
→ ✔ period
*(Unit: seconds)*

5. The maximum height of a wave from the equilibrium line (rest position).
→ ✔ amplitude

6. The distance between two consecutive troughs.
→ ✔ wavelength
*(Same as distance between two crests or any two identical points)*

7. Waves that travel perpendicular to the energy movement.
→ ✔ transverse waves
*(But note: “transverse” isn’t in the word bank above. Wait — actually, looking back at question 3, we're selecting from the list of terms given earlier? Let's check...)*

Wait — the instructions say: "Select which property of a wave is being described" — but the options aren't listed. We must use the terms from the word box in question 2.

Let’s recheck: The word box includes:
- Hertz
- period
- metres
- dip
- seconds
- peak
- wavelength
- trough
- crest
- frequency
- amplitude
- oscillation
- equilibrium line

But "transverse" and "longitudinal" are not in the box. However, the last two statements are describing types of waves.

Wait — perhaps the intended answers are:

7. Waves that travel perpendicular to the energy movement.
→ This describes transverse waves, but “transverse” is not in the list. Hmm.

But look — the word oscillation is in the box. But that doesn’t fit.

Wait — maybe there's an error. Let’s reconsider.

Actually, the last two statements are about wave types, but none of the words in the box are "transverse" or "longitudinal".

However, notice: "oscillation" could refer to the motion, but not the type.

Alternatively, perhaps the worksheet expects us to use only the terms from the box.

But "transverse" and "longitudinal" are not in the box.

Wait — let's look again. The box has:
- Hertz
- period
- metres
- dip
- seconds
- peak
- wavelength
- trough
- crest
- frequency
- amplitude
- oscillation
- equilibrium line

None of these are "transverse" or "longitudinal".

But the last two statements are:

7. Waves that travel perpendicular to the energy movement. → transverse waves
8. Waves that require a medium to travel through. → mechanical waves

But neither “transverse” nor “mechanical” are in the box.

This suggests either:
- There’s a mistake in the worksheet.
- Or we’re supposed to use “oscillation” or something else?

Wait — perhaps the question allows using any wave term, even if not in the box?

But it says: “Select which property...” and refers to the box.

Alternatively, maybe the missing terms are implied.

Let’s go back — perhaps the word box is only for question 2.

For question 3, we are to choose from the list of wave properties — but since no list is provided, we must infer the correct term.

Let’s assume we can use appropriate wave terms.

So:

7. Waves that travel perpendicular to the energy movement.
→ ✔ transverse waves

8. Waves that require a medium to travel through.
→ ✔ mechanical waves

But if we must pick from the box, then we have a problem.

Wait — "oscillation" means vibration, but doesn’t describe the wave type.

"Oscillation" is a general term for back-and-forth motion.

But none of the box terms directly say “transverse” or “mechanical”.

Therefore, likely the worksheet intends for you to use standard wave vocabulary, not limited to the box.

So let’s proceed with correct physics terms.

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✔ Final Answers:

#### Question 1:
- Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
- Mechanical waves cannot travel through empty space.
- Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space.
- Transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
- Longitudinal waves move parallel to the direction of the wave.

#### Question 2: Diagram Labels
From left to right / top to bottom:
- Bottom left (dashed line): equilibrium line
- Middle vertical (height): amplitude
- Top horizontal (distance between crests): wavelength
- Bottom right (lowest point): trough
- Top right (highest point): crest

(Other possible labels: "peak" for crest, "dip" for trough — but "crest" and "trough" are standard.)

#### Question 3: Match descriptions to wave properties

1. The top of a wave. → crest
2. The bottom of a wave. → trough
3. The number of waves that pass in 1 second. → frequency
4. The time it takes for one wave to pass or complete a cycle. → period
5. The maximum height of a wave from the equilibrium line (rest position). → amplitude
6. The distance between two consecutive troughs. → wavelength
7. Waves that travel perpendicular to the energy movement. → transverse waves
8. Waves that require a medium to travel through. → mechanical waves

> Note: Although "transverse" and "mechanical" are not in the word box, they are the correct scientific terms. If the worksheet requires only words from the box, then there may be an error. But in context, these are the best answers.

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✔ Summary of All Answers:

1. Fill-in-the-blank:
- energy, matter
- cannot
- can
- perpendicular
- parallel

2. Diagram Labels:
- Left box (dashed line): equilibrium line
- Middle vertical: amplitude
- Top horizontal: wavelength
- Bottom right: trough
- Top right: crest

3. Matching:
1. crest
2. trough
3. frequency
4. period
5. amplitude
6. wavelength
7. transverse waves
8. mechanical waves

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for students!