Waves And Their Phenomena

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  • 1/18 Questions

    A radar gun can determine the speed of a moving automobile by measuring the difference in frequency between emitted and reflected radar waves. this process illustrates

    • Resonance
    • The Doppler effect
    • Diffraction
    • Refraction
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Waves And Their Phenomena - Quiz
About This Quiz

Waves are some of the prettiest phenomena in physics, occurring as a result of wind blowing on the surface of an area of water, creating a surface wave on the water. What can you tell us about them?

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  • 2. 

    Which type of wave requires a material medium through which to travel?

    • Electromagnetic

    • Infared

    • Sound

    • Radio

    Correct Answer
    A. Sound
    Explanation
    All mechanical waves need a medium to travel through and sound is the only mechanical wave!

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  • 3. 

    An earthquake wave is traveling from west to east through rock. If the particles of the rock are vibrating in a north-south direction, the wave must be classified as

    • Transverse

    • Longitudinal

    • A microwave

    • A radio wave

    Correct Answer
    A. Transverse
    Explanation
    Transverse wave vibrates perpendicular to the direction that the wave is traveling

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  • 4. 

    In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves have the same 

    • Wavelength

    • Frequency

    • Speed

    • Amplitude

    Correct Answer
    A. Speed
    Explanation
    In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves have the same speed. This is known as the speed of light, denoted by the symbol "c". Regardless of their wavelength, frequency, or amplitude, electromagnetic waves will always travel at the same speed in a vacuum, which is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second. This fundamental property of electromagnetic waves is a key principle in physics and is a cornerstone of many theories and applications in the field.

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  • 5. 

    A wave is diffracted as it passes through an opening in a barrier. the amount of diffraction that the wave undergoes depends on both the 

    • Amplitude and frequency of the incident wave

    • Wavelength and speed of the incident wave

    • Wavelength of the incident wave and the size of the opening

    • Amplitude of the incident wave and the size of the opening

    Correct Answer
    A. Wavelength of the incident wave and the size of the opening
    Explanation
    the amount of diffraction depends upon the wavelength and size of the opening

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  • 6. 

    A tuning fork oscillates with a frequency of 256 hertz after being struck by a rubber hammer. Which phrase best describes the sound waves produced by this oscillating tuning fork?

    • Electromagnetic waves that require no medium for transmission

    • Electromagnetic waves that require a medium for transmission

    • Mechanical waves that require no medium for transmission

    • Mechanical waves that require a medium for transmission

    Correct Answer
    A. Mechanical waves that require a medium for transmission
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "mechanical waves that require a medium for transmission." This is because a tuning fork produces sound waves, which are mechanical waves that require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel through. Sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum, unlike electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum. Therefore, the sound waves produced by the oscillating tuning fork require a medium for transmission.

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  • 7. 

    A change in the speed of a wave as it enters a new medium produces a change in 

    • Frequency

    • Period

    • Wavelength

    • Phase

    Correct Answer
    A. Wavelength
    Explanation
    When a wave enters a new medium, its speed changes. This change in speed causes a corresponding change in the wavelength of the wave. Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in phase, meaning they are at the same point in their cycle. Therefore, a change in the speed of a wave as it enters a new medium produces a change in its wavelength.

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  • 8. 

    Waves pass through a 10 centimeter opening in a barrier without being diffracted. This observation provides evidence that the wavelength of the waves is

    • Much shorter than 10 cm

    • Equal to 10 cm

    • Longer than 10 cm, but short than 20 cm

    • Longer than 20 cm

    Correct Answer
    A. Much shorter than 10 cm
    Explanation
    When waves pass through a small opening without being diffracted, it indicates that the size of the opening is comparable to or larger than the wavelength of the waves. In this case, the waves pass through a 10 centimeter opening without diffraction, suggesting that the wavelength of the waves is much shorter than 10 centimeters.

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  • 9. 

    Which pair of terms best describes light waves traveling from the Sun to Earth?

    • Electromagnetic and transverse

    • Electromagnetic and longitudinal

    • Mechanical and transverse

    • Mechnical and longitudinal

    Correct Answer
    A. Electromagnetic and transverse
    Explanation
    All light waves are electromagnetic, and all electromagnetic waves are transverse

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  • 10. 

    If the amplitude of a wave in a rope is doubled, the speed of the wave in the rope will 

    • Decrease

    • Increase

    • Remain the same

    Correct Answer
    A. Remain the same
    Explanation
    The amplitude of a wave in a rope represents the maximum displacement of the rope from its equilibrium position. Increasing the amplitude does not affect the speed of the wave, which is determined by the properties of the medium through which the wave is traveling. Therefore, the speed of the wave in the rope will remain the same.

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  • 11. 

    As a sound wave passes from water, where the speed is 1.49 x 10^3 m/s, into air, the wave's speed 

    • Decreases and its frequency remains the same

    • Increases and its frequency remains the same

    • Remains the same and its frequency decreases

    • Remains the same and its frequency increases

    Correct Answer
    A. Decreases and its frequency remains the same
    Explanation
    The speed of sound in a medium depends upon the density and frequency never changes

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  • 12. 

    The energy of a sound wave is most closely related to its 

    • Period

    • Amplitude

    • Frequency

    • Wavelength

    Correct Answer
    A. Amplitude
    Explanation
    The energy of a sound wave is most closely related to its amplitude. Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of particles in a medium from their rest position when a sound wave passes through it. The larger the amplitude, the more energy the sound wave carries. This is because a higher amplitude means that the sound wave is causing greater disturbances in the medium, resulting in more energy being transferred.

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  • 13. 

    Radio waves diffract around buildings more than light waves do because, compared to light waves, radio waves 

    • Move faster

    • Move slower

    • Have a high frequency

    • Have a longer wavelength

    Correct Answer
    A. Have a longer wavelength
    Explanation
    reference table D

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  • 14. 

    What is the speed of a radio wave in a vacuum?

    • 0 m/s

    • 3.31 x 10^2 m/s

    • 1.13 x 10^3 m/s

    • 3.00 x 10^2 m/s

    Correct Answer
    A. 3.00 x 10^2 m/s
    Explanation
    The speed of a radio wave in a vacuum is 3.00 x 10^2 m/s. This is because all electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 3.00 x 10^8 m/s.

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  • 15. 

    A source of waves and an observer are moving relative to each other. the observer will detect a steadily increasing frequency if 

    • He moves toward the source at a constant speed

    • The source moves away from him at a constant speed

    • He accelerates toward the source

    • The source accelerates away from him

    Correct Answer
    A. He accelerates toward the source
    Explanation
    The apparent frequency will increase steadily only if the relative motion is accelerated

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  • 16. 

    A girl on a swing may increase the amplitude of the swing's oscillations if she moves her legs at the natural frequency of the swing. This is an example of

    • The Doppler effect

    • Destructive interference

    • Wave transmission

    • Resonance

    Correct Answer
    A. Resonance
    Explanation
    The swing (vibrating system) and the outside force (the girl) is acting on it causing the amplitude of the oscillations to increase. This is known as resonance

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  • 17. 

    Compared to the speed of microwaves in a vacuum, the speed of x rays in a vacuum is

    • Less

    • Greater

    • The same

    Correct Answer
    A. The same
    Explanation
    all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed

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  • 18. 

    A microwave and an x ray are traveling in a vacuum. Compared to the wavelength and period of the microwave, the x ray has a wavelength that is

    • Longer and a period that is shorter

    • Longer and a period that is longer

    • Shorter and a period that longer

    • Shorter and a period that is shorter

    Correct Answer
    A. Shorter and a period that is shorter
    Explanation
    In a vacuum, x-rays have a shorter wavelength and a shorter period compared to microwaves. This is because x-rays have higher energy and frequency than microwaves. Higher energy waves have shorter wavelengths and shorter periods.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jun 08, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Victoriaaxox
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