Wave Properties: Master the Fundamentals of Waves

Question 1

A stationary wave is formed when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude:

Accepted Answer

Travel in opposite directions

Answer

Travel in the same direction

Answer

Have different wavelengths

Answer

Have different frequencies

Question 2

What is the principle behind the formation of mirages?

Accepted Answer

Refraction

Answer

Reflection

Answer

Diffraction

Answer

Interference

Question 3

Which wave type requires a medium to propagate through?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical waves

Answer

Electromagnetic waves

Answer

Sound waves

Answer

Light waves

Question 4

Define the amplitude of a wave.

Accepted Answer

The maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position

Answer

The distance from the crest to the trough

Answer

The wavelength of the wave

Answer

The speed of the wave

Question 5

Distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves.

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal waves vibrate parallel to their direction of travel, while transverse waves vibrate perpendicularly

Answer

Transverse waves vibrate parallel to their direction of travel, while longitudinal waves vibrate perpendicularly

Answer

Longitudinal waves have higher frequencies than transverse waves

Answer

Transverse waves have higher amplitudes than longitudinal waves

Question 6

Provide an example of a standing wave.

Accepted Answer

A wave on a string that is fixed at both ends

Answer

A wave on the surface of a pond

Answer

A sound wave in a room

Answer

A light wave in a vacuum

Question 7

What is the result when two waves of identical frequency and amplitude undergo constructive interference?

Accepted Answer

A wave with double the amplitude of the original waves

Answer

A wave with half the amplitude of the original waves

Answer

Two waves that cancel each other out

Answer

No change in the wave

Question 8

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Accepted Answer

Wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency

Answer

Wavelength is directly proportional to frequency

Answer

Wavelength is independent of frequency

Answer

Wavelength is equal to frequency

Question 9

Which of the following is a characteristic of transverse waves?

Accepted Answer

They oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation

Answer

They cause the medium to vibrate parallel to the direction of propagation

Answer

They have a constant amplitude

Answer

They have a constant frequency

Question 10

What is the process by which waves change direction when they pass from one medium to another?

Accepted Answer

Refraction

Answer

Diffraction

Answer

Reflection

Answer

Interference

Question 11

What is the principle behind the Doppler effect?

Accepted Answer

The observed change in frequency of a wave due to relative motion between the source and observer

Answer

The superposition of waves

Answer

The reflection of a wave off a surface

Answer

The diffraction of a wave around an obstacle

Question 12

The frequency of a wave is:

Accepted Answer

The number of peaks that pass a point in one second

Answer

The number of troughs that pass a point in one second

Answer

The total time taken for one complete cycle

Answer

The distance between two peaks

Question 13

The amplitude of a wave is:

Accepted Answer

The maximum displacement of the wave from the equilibrium position

Answer

The distance from the peak to the equilibrium position

Answer

The distance from the trough to the equilibrium position

Answer

The number of peaks that pass a point in one second

Question 14

Which of the following waves is used in mobile phone communication?

Accepted Answer

Radio waves

Answer

Infrared waves

Answer

Microwaves

Answer

Ultrasound waves

Question 15

Which of the following is a longitudinal wave?

Accepted Answer

Sound waves

Answer

Light waves

Answer

Water waves

Answer

Radio waves

Question 16

Which of the following phenomena is caused by the interference of waves?

Accepted Answer

Beats

Answer

Doppler effect

Answer

Refraction

Answer

Polarization