Transverse Waves & Geometric Optics is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Physical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium vibrate:
Perpendicular to the direction the wave travels
Parallel to the direction the wave travels
In a circular path only
They do not move at all
Answer: Perpendicular to the direction the wave travels — A transverse wave has particles vibrating at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction of wave travel.
Easy
2. The wavelength of a wave is defined as:
The distance between two successive identical points on the wave, such as crest to crest
The maximum displacement from the rest position
The time for one complete wave cycle
The number of cycles per second
Answer: The distance between two successive identical points on the wave, such as crest to crest — Wavelength is the distance between two corresponding points on successive waves, such as from one crest to the next.
Medium
3. Name the SI unit used to measure frequency.
Answer: hertz — Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz equals 1 complete cycle per second.
