Waves And Their Phenomena
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?
- 1.
What is the speed of a radio wave in a vacuum?
- A.
0 m/s
- B.
3.31 x 10^2 m/s
- C.
1.13 x 10^3 m/s
- D.
3.00 x 10^2 m/s
Correct Answer
D. 3.00 x 10^2 m/sExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 2.
If the amplitude of a wave in a rope is doubled, the speed of the wave in the rope will
- A.
Decrease
- B.
Increase
- C.
Remain the same
Correct Answer
C. Remain the sameExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 3.
A change in the speed of a wave as it enters a new medium produces a change in
- A.
Frequency
- B.
Period
- C.
Wavelength
- D.
Phase
Correct Answer
C. WavelengthExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 4.
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?
- A.
Electromagnetic waves that require no medium for transmission
- B.
Electromagnetic waves that require a medium for transmission
- C.
Mechanical waves that require no medium for transmission
- D.
Mechanical waves that require a medium for transmission
Correct Answer
D. Mechanical waves that require a medium for transmissionExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 5.
In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves have the same
- A.
Wavelength
- B.
Frequency
- C.
Speed
- D.
Amplitude
Correct Answer
C. SpeedExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Waves pass through a 10 centimeter opening in a barrier without being diffracted. This observation provides evidence that the wavelength of the waves is
- A.
Much shorter than 10 cm
- B.
Equal to 10 cm
- C.
Longer than 10 cm, but short than 20 cm
- D.
Longer than 20 cm
Correct Answer
A. Much shorter than 10 cmExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 7.
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
- A.
Resonance
- B.
The Doppler effect
- C.
Diffraction
- D.
Refraction
Correct Answer
B. The Doppler effectExplanation
The given explanation is correct. The Doppler effect refers to the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave as observed by an observer moving relative to the source of the wave. In the case of a radar gun, it emits radar waves that bounce off a moving automobile and return to the radar gun. The difference in frequency between the emitted and reflected waves is then measured, allowing the radar gun to determine the speed of the automobile based on the Doppler effect.Rate this question:
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- 8.
As a sound wave passes from water, where the speed is 1.49 x 10^3 m/s, into air, the wave's speed
- A.
Decreases and its frequency remains the same
- B.
Increases and its frequency remains the same
- C.
Remains the same and its frequency decreases
- D.
Remains the same and its frequency increases
Correct Answer
A. Decreases and its frequency remains the sameExplanation
The speed of sound in a medium depends upon the density and frequency never changesRate this question:
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- 9.
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
- A.
Amplitude and frequency of the incident wave
- B.
Wavelength and speed of the incident wave
- C.
Wavelength of the incident wave and the size of the opening
- D.
Amplitude of the incident wave and the size of the opening
Correct Answer
C. Wavelength of the incident wave and the size of the openingExplanation
the amount of diffraction depends upon the wavelength and size of the openingRate this question:
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- 10.
A source of waves and an observer are moving relative to each other. the observer will detect a steadily increasing frequency if
- A.
He moves toward the source at a constant speed
- B.
The source moves away from him at a constant speed
- C.
He accelerates toward the source
- D.
The source accelerates away from him
Correct Answer
C. He accelerates toward the sourceExplanation
The apparent frequency will increase steadily only if the relative motion is acceleratedRate this question:
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- 11.
Which pair of terms best describes light waves traveling from the Sun to Earth?
- A.
Electromagnetic and transverse
- B.
Electromagnetic and longitudinal
- C.
Mechanical and transverse
- D.
Mechnical and longitudinal
Correct Answer
A. Electromagnetic and transverseExplanation
All light waves are electromagnetic, and all electromagnetic waves are transverseRate this question:
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- 12.
Radio waves diffract around buildings more than light waves do because, compared to light waves, radio waves
- A.
Move faster
- B.
Move slower
- C.
Have a high frequency
- D.
Have a longer wavelength
Correct Answer
D. Have a longer wavelengthExplanation
reference table DRate this question:
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- 13.
The energy of a sound wave is most closely related to its
- A.
Period
- B.
Amplitude
- C.
Frequency
- D.
Wavelength
Correct Answer
B. AmplitudeExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 14.
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
- A.
The Doppler effect
- B.
Destructive interference
- C.
Wave transmission
- D.
Resonance
Correct Answer
D. ResonanceExplanation
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 resonanceRate this question:
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- 15.
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
- A.
Transverse
- B.
Longitudinal
- C.
A microwave
- D.
A radio wave
Correct Answer
A. TransverseExplanation
Transverse wave vibrates perpendicular to the direction that the wave is travelingRate this question:
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- 16.
Which type of wave requires a material medium through which to travel?
- A.
Electromagnetic
- B.
Infared
- C.
Sound
- D.
Radio
Correct Answer
C. SoundExplanation
All mechanical waves need a medium to travel through and sound is the only mechanical wave!Rate this question:
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- 17.
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
- A.
Longer and a period that is shorter
- B.
Longer and a period that is longer
- C.
Shorter and a period that longer
- D.
Shorter and a period that is shorter
Correct Answer
D. Shorter and a period that is shorterExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Compared to the speed of microwaves in a vacuum, the speed of x rays in a vacuum is
- A.
Less
- B.
Greater
- C.
The same
Correct Answer
C. The sameExplanation
all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speedRate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jun 08, 2009Quiz Created by
Victoriaaxox
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