Waves Test

The matter through which a mechanical wave travels is called the _?_.

• water

• atmosphere

• air

• medium

An increase in temperature will _?_ the speed of a sound wave.

• increase

• decrease

• not affect

When a sound wave strikes a solid barrier such as canyon walls, it creates a _?_.

• refraction

• reflection

• diffraction

• constructive interference

What does a sound's frequency determine?

• intensity

• volume

• amplitude

• pitch

To produce sound, an object must _?_.

• be in a gas

• vibrate

• be heated

• be moving toward the listener

Suppose two waves collide and the temporary combined wave that results is smaller than the original wave. What term best describes this interaction?

• standing wave formation

• constructive interference

• destructive interference

• diffraction

Permanent hearing loss is often due to _?_.

• hair-cell damage

• damage to the oval window

• nerve damage

• a thickening of the eardrum

Sound can travel through all but which of the following?

• gases

• outer space

• liquids

• solids

Bats and dolphins use _?_ to locate moths, fish, and other prey.

• the Doppler effect

• magnetism

• ultrasound

• echolocation

Ultrasonic waves have _?_ than the sound waves that humans can detect with their ears.

• longer wavelengths

• lower speeds

• lower frequencies

• higher frequencies