1. Figure 1 shows part of a wave - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 1

The student can determine the frequency of the ripples by using the stopwatch to time how long it takes for a certain number of ripples to pass a fixed point. If he counts, for instance, 10 ripples while timing for 20 seconds, the frequency can be calculated by using the formula:

$ext{Frequency (f)} = \frac{\text{Number of ripples}}{\text{Time (s)}}$

In this case, the frequency would be: $f = \frac{10}{20} = 0.5 Hz$

Given the speed of the wave (v) is 1.5 m/s and the frequency (f) is 0.70 Hz, we can use the equation:

$v = f \times \lambda$

Rearranging the equation to find the wavelength (λ), we have:

$\lambda = \frac{v}{f}$

Substituting in the known values:

$\lambda = \frac{1.5 \, m/s}{0.70 \, Hz} \approx 2.14 \, m$

Thus, the wavelength of the wave is approximately 2.14 m.

Transverse waves are characterized by oscillations that are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. For example, in a transverse wave, the particles move up and down while the wave continues to move sideways.

On the other hand, longitudinal waves involve oscillations that are parallel to the direction of wave travel. In this case, particles compress and rarefy in the same direction as the wave moves, creating regions of high pressure (compressions) and low pressure (rarefactions).