Properties of Waves

Which type of wave includes sound waves and seismic P-waves?

• Longitudinal Waves

• Transverse Waves

• Compression Waves

• Seismic S-waves

Answer explanation

Sound waves and seismic P-waves are examples of Longitudinal Waves. This is due to the fact that in these types of waves, the displacement of the medium is in the same direction as (or the opposite direction to) the direction of wave propagation. In other words, the movement of the particles is parallel to the movement of the energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Which type of wave includes light and other electromagnetic radiation?

• Longitudinal Waves

• Transverse Waves

• Compression Waves

• Seismic S-waves

Answer explanation

The question asks about the type of waves that include light and electromagnetic radiation. The correct answer is 'Transverse Waves'. This is because both light and electromagnetic radiation are examples of transverse waves where the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction of the wave propagation.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

NGSS.HS-PS4-5

What is the maximum displacement of the particles of the medium from their rest positions called?

• Amplitude

• Wavefront

• Frequency

• Wavelength

Answer explanation

The question asks about the maximum displacement of particles from their rest position in a medium. This is called amplitude. It's not wavefront, which is the form the wave takes in space. Frequency and wavelength, likewise, refer to different aspects of wave properties and not to displacement.

What is the number of oscillations per unit time called?

• Amplitude

• Wavefront

• Frequency

• Wavelength

Answer explanation

The number of oscillations per unit time is known as 'Frequency'. It is not 'Amplitude' as that measures the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation. 'Wavefront' is the locus of points having the same phase of oscillation, and 'Wavelength' is the spatial period of a wave.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the distance between two consecutive points in phase on the wave called?

• Amplitude

• Wavefront

• Frequency

• Wavelength

Answer explanation

The distance between two points in phase on a wave is referred to as the Wavelength. It's the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is often determined in the direction of wave propagation. The other options, Amplitude, Wavefront, and Frequency, do not relate to the distance between two points in phase on a wave.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the time taken for one complete cycle of vibration to pass a given point called?

• Amplitude

• Wavefront

• Period

• Wavelength

Answer explanation

The time taken for one complete cycle of vibration to pass a given point is called the 'Period'. 'Amplitude' refers to the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its rest position, 'Wavefront' is the imaginary surface through the points of a wave that vibrate in phase, and 'Wavelength' is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

Which property of waves allows them to transfer energy and information without transferring matter?

• Amplitude

• Wavefront

• Frequency

• Wavelength

Answer explanation

Amplitude denotes the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, which is measured from the position of equilibrium. In terms of waves, amplitude refers to the displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body from its equilibrium position. Thus, it's the amplitude property of waves that allows them to transfer energy and information without transferring matter.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the relationship between the speed of a wave, its frequency, and its wavelength?

• Speed = Frequency × Wavelength

• Speed = Frequency / Wavelength

• Speed = Frequency + Wavelength

• Speed = Frequency - Wavelength

Answer explanation

The relationship between the speed of a wave, its frequency, and its wavelength is given by the equation: Speed = Frequency × Wavelength. This equation shows that the speed of a wave is directly proportional to both the frequency of the wave and its wavelength.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the relationship between the frequency of a wave and its time period?

• Frequency = Time Period

• Frequency = 1 / Time Period

• Frequency = Time Period / 2

• Frequency = 2 × Time Period

Answer explanation

The relationship between the frequency of a wave and its time period is that they are inversely proportional. This means that as the time period increases, the frequency decreases and vice versa. Hence, the correct answer is 'Frequency = 1 / Time Period'.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the change in observed frequency and wavelength of a wave called when its source is moving relative to an observer?

• Doppler Effect

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Transmission

Answer explanation

The Doppler Effect refers to the change in frequency and wavelength of a wave when its source is moving relative to an observer. This phenomenon is commonly observed with sound waves but applies to other types of waves as well. It's not about reflection, refraction, or transmission, but the relative motion between a wave source and an observer.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1