Light and Sound Waves

Aubri is studying sound waves and asks, 'What is the distance from one compression to the next in a longitudinal wave?'

• its amplitude

• its frequency

• its wavelength

Answer explanation

The distance from one compression to the next in a longitudinal wave is its wavelength, not its amplitude or frequency.

During a music class, Yuan increases the amplitude of a sound wave on his synthesizer. What also increases as a result?

• speed

• energy/volume

• frequency

Answer explanation

When the amplitude of a wave increases, the energy of the wave also increases. Amplitude is directly proportional to the energy of a wave.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

During a physics class, Veralynn is asked by her teacher how wave frequency is measured in a practical experiment. How should she respond?

• wavelengths per meter

• wavelengths per second

• wavelengths per centimeter

Answer explanation

Wave frequency is measured in wavelengths per second, representing the number of complete wave cycles that pass a given point in one second.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

During a physics class experiment, Brooke observes that as she increases the frequency of a sound wave, what characteristic of the wave decreases?

• speed

• amplitude

• wavelength

Answer explanation

When the frequency of a wave increases, the wavelength decreases. This is because wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional in a wave.

During a physics class demonstration, Amri observes a longitudinal wave on a slinky. In which areas are the particles farthest apart?

• crests

• troughs

• rarefactions

Answer explanation

Particles are farthest apart in rarefactions on a longitudinal wave.

True or False: When Jackson tunes his guitar, the unit of measurement for the frequency of the strings' vibrations is hertz.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The correct unit of measurement for wave frequency is hertz, so the statement is True.

In a science class, Genesis, Rylie, and Daphney are discussing how different types of waves (like sound and light) travel at different speeds in air and water, especially when the temperature changes. True or False: Different types of waves travel at different speeds at different temperatures.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True because different types of waves, such as sound or light, travel at different speeds depending on the medium they are passing through, which can be affected by temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

While Breanna was observing a science experiment, she noticed that light waves changed direction and slowed down when passing through different mediums. What is this phenomenon called?

• refraction

• diffraction

• absorption

Answer explanation

When waves slow down and change direction, it is called refraction. Refraction occurs due to a change in the wave's speed as it moves from one medium to another.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

During a physics experiment, Andrew and Gregory observe two sound waves traveling through the air and combining to form a new wave. What is this phenomenon called?

• reflection

• diffraction

• interference

Answer explanation

When two waves combine to form a new wave, it is called interference. Interference occurs when the waves overlap and either reinforce or cancel each other out.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-5

Brody is studying physics and wonders in which medium a sound wave will move more quickly?

• air

• ethanol

• rock

• vacuum

Answer explanation

A sound wave will move more quickly in rock compared to air, ethanol, or vacuum due to the higher density and stiffness of rock allowing for faster propagation of the wave.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2