QCAA Physics Alternative Sequence Waves

Incorrect. Surface waves travel along the interface between two different media, such as water and air, whereas sound waves propagate through the bulk of the air.

Incorrect. In a transverse wave, particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, which does not describe how sound travels through a gas.

Correct. Sound waves in air are longitudinal because the air particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation, creating alternating areas of compression and rarefaction.

Incorrect. Electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields and do not require a physical medium like air particles to propagate.

This is correct. The wavelength in the second medium is given by $\lambda_2 = \frac{n_1 \lambda_1}{n_2}$. Substituting the values gives $\frac{1.33 \times 555 \text{ nm}}{1.50} = 492 \text{ nm}$.

This is incorrect. This value does not correspond to the correct relationship between refractive indices and wavelengths, $n_1 \lambda_1 = n_2 \lambda_2$.

This is incorrect. This is the wavelength of the light in water. The wavelength changes when light enters a medium with a different refractive index.

This is incorrect. This is the result of incorrectly multiplying the wavelength by $\frac{n_2}{n_1}$ instead of $\frac{n_1}{n_2}$. Wavelength decreases when entering a medium with a higher refractive index.