Wave Interactions

When two transverse waves traveling through a medium meet and exactly coincide, the resulting displacement of the medium

• is the sum of the displacements of each wave.

• is zero.

• is always greater than the displacement of either wave alone.

• is always destructive.

When two waves having displacements in opposite directions meet, _______________ occurs.

• complete cancellation

• no interference

• constructive interference

• destructive interference

Two waves meet and interfere constructively. Which one of the following factors increases?

• period

• amplitude

• frequency

• wavelength

The diagram on the board represents two pulse waves moving toward each other through a medium. The two waves will exactly coincide when they reach point A. At point A, the amplitude of the combined waves will be

• twice that of either wave alone.

• the same as either wave alone

• half that of either wave alone.

• zero.

When a wave on a rope strikes a free boundary, the wave is

• reflected and inverted. 

• not reflected.

• reflected but not inverted.

• absorbed.

A wave pattern on a stretched string appears to be stationary. This wave pattern is an example of a

• longitudinal wave.

• non-periodic wave.

• pulse wave.

• standing wave.

In a standing wave on a vibrating string, a point that appears to remain stationary is a(n)

• antinode.

• point of constructive interference.

• node.

• rarefaction

The diagram above represents a certain standing wave on a vibrating string. This standing wave has

• 4 nodes and 3 antinodes. 

• 2 nodes and 3 antinodes.

• 3 nodes and 4 antinodes.

• 3 nodes and 2 antinodes.

Two waves traveling in the same medium are approaching each other. What determines whether constructive or destructive interference occurs when the waves meet and coincide?

• If wave displacements in same direction - constructive interference. If wave displacements in opposite directions- destructive interference.

• If wave displacements in same direction - destructive interference. If wave displacements in opposite directions- constructive interference.

• If wave displacements in parallel direction - constructive interference. If wave displacements in perpendicular directions- destructive interference.

• If wave displacements in parallel direction - destructive interference. If wave displacements in perpendicular directions- constructive interference..

A student attaches one end of a rope to a pole and then sends a pulse wave from the opposite end of the rope. Under what conditions will the wave be inverted when it reaches the pole and is reflected?

• If the boundary is moving so the rope forms a sine wave.

• If the boundary is free so the rope can slide up and down.

• If the boundary is fixed so the rope is unable to slide up and down.

• If the boundary is moving so the rope forms a standing wave.