AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
The ripples on a water surface are an example of a transverse wave.
Full specification wording
Transverse and longitudinal waves: The ripples on a water surface are an example of a transverse wave.
Ripples on water are the standard transverse example.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 6
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Ripples on water are the standard transverse example. The surface of the water moves up and down about its undisturbed level while the ripple itself travels horizontally outwards, so the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. A floating cork or a duck on a pond shows this directly: it bobs up and down as each ripple passes, but it does not get carried to the far bank, because the water is not travelling with the wave. Only the energy moves across the pond. The wavelength is measured from one crest to the next crest, and the amplitude from the undisturbed level to a crest, not from a crest down to a trough. In the laboratory the same wave is studied in a ripple tank, where the shadows of the ripples are projected onto paper beneath the tank.
What earns the marks
- Stating that the water surface oscillates up and down.
- Stating that the ripple travels at right angles to those oscillations.
- Using a floating object to show that the water itself is not carried along.
- Measuring the wavelength between two adjacent crests.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying the water travels across the tank along with the ripple.
Taking the vertical distance from crest to trough as the amplitude, when it is twice the amplitude.
Drawing compressions and rarefactions for a water ripple.
Measuring the wavelength from a crest to the neighbouring trough.
Exam tips
- Use a floating object as your evidence; it is the example examiners expect for water waves.
- Label a diagram with an arrow for the oscillation and a separate arrow for the wave direction.
- Say 'perpendicular' rather than 'up and down' when the question asks for the defining feature.
Try the lesson
The start of the Transverse and longitudinal waves: The ripples on a water surface are an example of a transverse wave. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following is a common example of a transverse wave?
Listen
Ripples on water are the standard transverse example. The surface of the water moves up and down about its undisturbed level while the ripple itself travels horizontally outwards, so the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. A floating cork or a duck on a pond shows this directly: it bobs up and down as each ripple passes, but it does not get carried to the far bank, because the water is not travelling with the wave. Only the energy moves across the pond. The wavelength is measured from one crest to the next crest, and the amplitude from the undisturbed level to a crest, not from a crest down to a trough. In the laboratory the same wave is studied in a ripple tank, where the shadows of the ripples are projected onto paper beneath the tank. A strong answer earns marks for these points. stating that the water surface oscillates up and down. stating that the ripple travels at right angles to those oscillations. using a floating object to show that the water itself is not carried along. measuring the wavelength between two adjacent crests. Exam tip: Use a floating object as your evidence; it is the example examiners expect for water waves.
Key words
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transverse wave
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wavelength
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amplitude
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water ripples
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See every definition
- transverse wave
- A wave in which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, as shown by ripples on a water surface.
- wavelength
- Measured from one crest to the next crest.
- amplitude
- Measured from the undisturbed level to a crest, not from a crest down to a trough.
- water ripples
- An example of a transverse wave in which the water surface moves up and down about its undisturbed level while the ripple travels horizontally outwards.
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