A study-guide page shows a labeled wave diagram, and something about it is wrong. Beata's job is not to draw; it is to audit: find the mislabeled feature and say the fix.
Every label on a wave diagram has a definition to answer to. The audit walks the labels one by one and checks each against its definition.
The rest line must run through the middle of the swings, where the medium would sit undisturbed.
Each crest label must sit at a highest point above the rest line; each trough label at a lowest point below it.
The amplitude arrow must run from the rest line to a crest top. An arrow from a crest top to a trough bottom is the classic flaw: it spans twice the amplitude.
The wavelength bracket must join two successive identical points: crest to next crest, or trough to next trough. A bracket from a crest to the very next trough spans only half a wavelength.
Name the flawed label, then state the fix in the definition's own words.
One flaw per audit here; a clean label is part of the answer too, so confirm the sound ones.
A diagram's amplitude arrow runs from a crest top straight down to the trough bottom. Name the flaw and the fix.
The amplitude is the maximum displacement from the rest position, measured rest line to crest.
This arrow spans crest to trough: twice the amplitude.
Flaw: the amplitude arrow spans crest to trough. Fix: redraw it from the rest line to the crest top; its length halves.
A diagram's wavelength bracket runs from one crest top to the very next trough bottom. Name the flaw and the fix.
One wavelength joins two successive identical points.
A crest and the next trough are not identical points: that span is half a wavelength.
Flaw: the bracket spans half a wavelength. Fix: extend it from the crest to the NEXT CREST.
In the diagram, one label fails its definition. Which label is it?
A flawed diagram's arrow, labeled amplitude, runs from a crest top to the trough bottom and measures 8 cm. Enter the wave's actual amplitude in cm.
Cosmo audits a diagram whose wavelength bracket runs from one crest top to the next crest top. He says: 'That bracket fits its definition, so the wavelength label is correct.' Is Cosmo correct?
In a flawed diagram, the bracket labeled one wavelength runs from a crest top to the very next trough bottom. Which correction fixes the diagram?
A flawed diagram's arrow, labeled amplitude, spans from a crest top to the trough bottom and measures 9 cm. Enter the wave's actual amplitude in cm.
An audit walks one diagram's four features. Which feature is drawn correctly?