Lesson 5.1.2

5.1.2 Longitudinal and transverse waves Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 5

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 5.1.2, Longitudinal and transverse waves: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 5: Waves and Particle Nature of Light, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. In which type of wave do particles oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer?

    • Electromagnetic wave
    • Torsional wave
    • Transverse wave
    • Longitudinal wave

  2. In which type of wave do oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer?

    • Transverse wave
    • Longitudinal wave
    • Compression wave
    • Sound wave

  3. In a longitudinal sound wave, what are the regions of high pressure called?

    • Antinodes
    • Compressions
    • Rarefactions
    • Nodes

  4. Which type of wave can be plane polarised by a polarising filter?

    • Longitudinal waves only
    • Transverse waves only
    • All wave types
    • Sound waves only

  5. What classification of wave are all electromagnetic waves?

    • Mechanical
    • Transverse
    • Stationary
    • Longitudinal

  6. How do air molecules move relative to the direction of a travelling sound wave?

    • Stationary position
    • Parallel oscillations
    • Perpendicular oscillations
    • Circular motion

  7. Which wave type cannot travel through a vacuum and is longitudinal?

    • X-rays
    • Radio waves
    • Sound
    • Light

  8. In a sound wave of frequency 1000 Hz travelling at 340 m/s, what is the distance between adjacent compressions?

    • 0.0029 m
    • 3.4 m
    • 0.68 m
    • 0.34 m

  9. A transverse wave has amplitude 4.0 cm. What is the vertical distance between a crest and an adjacent trough?

    • 16 cm
    • 4.0 cm
    • 8.0 cm
    • 2.0 cm

  10. In a sound wave the pressure at a compression is 1.02 x 10^5 Pa and at a rarefaction is 0.98 x 10^5 Pa. What is the pressure amplitude?

    • 2.0 x 10^3 Pa
    • 4.0 x 10^3 Pa
    • 1.0 x 10^5 Pa
    • 1.0 x 10^2 Pa

  11. A rope tied at one end is shaken up and down at the other end to send a wave along its length. What type of wave is this?

    • Transverse
    • Compressional
    • Longitudinal
    • Stationary

  12. Pushing and pulling a spring along its length creates what type of wave?

    • Longitudinal wave
    • Electromagnetic wave
    • Torsional wave
    • Transverse wave

  13. A longitudinal wave in a steel rod has frequency 5000 Hz and wavelength 1.2 m. What is the speed of the wave?

    • 4.2 m/s
    • 600 m/s
    • 6000 m/s
    • 4200 m/s

  14. Which wave phenomenon provides direct proof that a wave is transverse?

    • Interference
    • Diffraction
    • Refraction
    • Polarisation

  15. In a longitudinal wave of frequency 250 Hz, how many compressions pass a fixed point in 4.0 s?

    • 1000
    • 4000
    • 250
    • 62.5

  16. Which type of energy-transferring wave disproves the claim that all waves are transverse?

    • Light wave
    • Microwave
    • Radio wave
    • Sound wave

  17. Which type of wave cannot be polarised because its oscillations are parallel to energy travel?

    • Transverse waves
    • Electromagnetic waves
    • Longitudinal waves
    • Surface waves

  18. A transverse wave on a rope has a crest to adjacent trough distance of 0.60 m along the rope and a frequency of 2.0 Hz. What is the wave speed?

    • 0.60 m/s
    • 4.8 m/s
    • 2.4 m/s
    • 1.2 m/s

  19. Compressions in a longitudinal wave are 0.40 m apart. What is the distance from a compression to the nearest rarefaction?

    • 0.20 m
    • 0.80 m
    • 0.40 m
    • 0.10 m

  20. What classification describes electromagnetic waves based on the direction of their field oscillations?

    • Transverse waves
    • Torsional waves
    • Mechanical waves
    • Longitudinal waves

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