Water waves | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Which of the following are types of wave?
- light ✓
- potential
- sound ✓
- upthrust
- water ✓
Which of the following shows parallel lines?
Which of the following correctly shows reflection of a light ray off a mirror?
- A
- B
- C ✓
- D
Each of these terms describes a line that can be seen in a ray diagram for the reflection of light. Match each term with its definition.
- boundary
  
  ⇔
  
  line showing where two different types of material meet ✓
- reflected ray
  
  ⇔
  
  arrow showing the direction of a wave after reflection ✓
- incident ray
  
  ⇔
  
  arrow showing the direction of the wave as it approaches a mirror ✓
- normal
  
  ⇔
  
  imaginary line at right angles to a mirror at the point a ray meets it ✓
Which two of the following statements about laws of reflection are correct?
- The angles of incidence and reflection are on opposite sides of the normal. ✓
- The angles of incidence and reflection are on the same side of the normal.
- The angles of incidence and reflection are in the same plane. ✓
- The angles of incidence and reflection are in different planes.
Which of the following words means ‘transfer energy to the thermal store’ by heating the surroundings?
- calibrate
- dissipate ✓
- evaporate
- radiate

Exit quiz

Which of the following words means back-and-forth movement?
- amplitude
- dissipation
- frequency
- oscillation ✓
The diagram shows a water wave. Match the letters with the correct labels.
- A
  
  ⇔
  
  rest position ✓
- B
  
  ⇔
  
  peak ✓
- C
  
  ⇔
  
  amplitude ✓
- D
  
  ⇔
  
  trough ✓
In a ______ wave such as a water wave, the repeating movements of parts of the medium are at 90° to the direction of energy transfer.
- 'transverse' ✓
Which of the following statements is correct?
- Water waves transfer energy and particles in one direction.
- In a water wave, particles of water move repeatedly right and left.
- Wavefronts are lines drawn to show the positions of crests of a wave. ✓
Which of the following is a word that describes what waves do when they pass through each other?
- superimpose
- superpose ✓
- suppose
The diagram shows the resultant wave when two waves pass through each other. Which of the following shows two waves that combine to form this resultant wave at this moment?
- A ✓
- B
- C
- D

Worksheet

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Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

As a water wave moves forward, each bit of water is moving up and down (oscillating), not forward.
Water waves are transverse waves: the direction of oscillation is 90° to the direction of energy transfer.
The amplitude of a water wave is the greatest distance water moves above and below the rest position.
Waves that pass through each other can ‘add up’ or ‘cancel out’; this is called wave superposition.
Water waves reflect from hard barriers, obeying the laws of reflection.

Common misconception

Water moves forwards with a water wave.

Show pupils animations depicting how transverse waves are created in water (and on ropes) by patterns of oscillation. Explicitly draw their attention to how the wave shape / wave pattern travels forwards without any material travelling forwards.

Keywords

Oscillation - back–and–forth movement
Transverse - describes a wave where the direction of oscillation is 90° to the direction of energy transfer
Amplitude - the greatest distance a material moves from the rest position when a wave passes through that material
Wave superposition - the process of waves ‘adding up’ or ‘cancelling out’ as they pass through each other
Wavefront - lines drawn to represent the positions of the peaks of a wave