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Worksheets

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following is a major difference between a transverse and longitudinal wave?

a)

A longitudinal wave requires a medium to travel through, and a transverse wave does not.

b)

A transverse wave requires a medium to travel through, and a longitudinal wave does not.

c)

There is no difference between the two types of waves.

d)

A longitudinal wave's frequency is measured in Hertz, and a transverse wave's frequency is not.

2.

How do the particles vibrate in a longitudinal wave?

a)

back and forth in the same direction as the wave

b)

the air molecules themselves do not move

c)

at right angles to the wave

d)

in all directions

3.

The highest point on a transverse wave is called the ___.

a)

crest

b)

trough

c)

wavelength

d)

amplitude

4.

The lowest point on a transverse wave is called the ___.

a)

crest

b)

trough

c)

wavelength

d)

amplitude

5.

Which wave is pictured?

a)

Transverse

b)

Longitudinal

c)

Both

d)

Neither

6.

How do the particles move in a transverse wave?

a)

back and forth in the same direction as the wave

b)

the air molecules themselves do not move

c)

up and down at right angles to the direction of the wave

d)

in all directions

7.

Radiant energy travels as what type of waves?

a)

Longitudinal waves

b)

Mechanical waves

c)

Compression waves

d)

Transverse waves

8.

The spread out regions in a longitudinal wave are called ____.

a)

rarefactions

b)

compressions

c)

frequencies

d)

wavelengths

9.

A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another is called a ___.

a)

wave

b)

motion

c)

matter

d)

force

10.

What is the height of the wave from the rest position to the crest or trough called?

a)

Frequency

b)

Amplitude

c)

Wavelength

d)

Compression

11.

What is the material called that a longitudinal wave has to travel through?

a)

Medium

b)

Compression

c)

Vacuum

d)

Frequency

12.

When the particles of a medium are vibrating perpendicular to the direction of the wave,  this is a __________wave.

a)

sound

b)

water

c)

transverse

d)

longitudinal

13.

Shaking a rope up and down produces which type of wave?

a)

transverse

b)

amplitude

c)

longitudinal

d)

period

14.

the lowest point of a transverse wave

a)

crest

b)

trough

c)

compression

d)

rarefaction

15.

Which of the following best describes a transverse wave?

a)

Particles move parallel to the wave direction

b)

Particles move perpendicular to the wave direction

c)

Particles do not move at all

d)

Particles move in a circular motion

16.

In a longitudinal wave, the areas where particles are closest together are called:

a)

Crests

b)

Troughs

c)

Compressions

d)

Rarefactions

17.

What type of wave is sound in air?

a)

Transverse

b)

Longitudinal

c)

Electromagnetic

d)

Surface

18.

Which of the following is an example of a transverse wave?

a)

Sound wave

b)

Seismic P-wave

c)

Light wave

d)

Ultrasound wave

19.

What is the main difference between transverse and longitudinal waves in terms of particle motion?

a)

Transverse waves have particles moving parallel to wave direction, longitudinal waves have particles moving perpendicular

b)

Transverse waves have particles moving perpendicular to wave direction, longitudinal waves have particles moving parallel

c)

Both have particles moving in the same direction as the wave

d)

Both have particles moving in opposite directions to the wave

20.

Which of the following waves can travel through a vacuum?

a)

Sound waves

b)

Water waves

c)

Light waves

d)

Seismic waves

21.

In a transverse wave, what is the term for the maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position?

a)

Wavelength

b)

Frequency

c)

Amplitude

d)

Speed

22.

What is the term for the distance between two consecutive compressions in a longitudinal wave?

a)

Wavelength

b)

Amplitude

c)

Frequency

d)

Period

23.

Which of the following statements is true about longitudinal waves?

a)

They can travel through a vacuum

b)

They require a medium to travel

c)

They have particles moving perpendicular to wave direction

d)

They are a type of electromagnetic wave

24.

What type of wave is created by shaking a slinky back and forth?

a)

Transverse

b)

Longitudinal

c)

Surface

d)

Electromagnetic

25.

Which of the following is a characteristic of transverse waves but not longitudinal waves?

a)

They can travel through solids

b)

They can travel through liquids

c)

They can travel through gases

d)

They can travel through a vacuum