Wave Physics Terms Quiz

What is the measure of the displacement of a wave from its rest position?

• Period

• Intensity

• Amplitude

• Frequency

Which type of wave remains in the same medium but bends around an obstacle?

• Diffraction

• Interference

• Refraction

• Reflection

What are waves that can travel through a vacuum called?

• Light Waves

• Sound Waves

• Electromagnetic Waves

• Mechanical Waves

What is the number of times per second that a wave cycles called?

• Period

• Frequency

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

Which type of wave has a frequency in the visible spectrum?

• Sound Wave

• Mechanical Wave

• Light Wave

• Electromagnetic Wave

What is the matter that a wave travels through called?

• Medium

• Refraction

• Polarization

• Coherence

What occurs when a wave bounces off a boundary, changing direction but remaining in the same medium?

• Diffraction

• Reflection

• Interference

• Absorption

What is the change in direction and wavelength when a wave moves from one medium to another called?

• Diffraction

• Polarization

• Resonance

• Refraction

What is a Sound Wave?

• A type of wave that is created by vibrating objects and travels through a vacuum.
• A type of wave that is created by stationary objects and travels through a medium such as air or water.
• A type of wave that is created by light and travels through a medium such as air or water.
• A mechanical wave that are caused by a vibration

What is a Standing wave?

• A wave that appears to be stationary and remains in a constant position.

• A wave that can only be produced in a laboratory setting
• A wave that increases in amplitude over time
• A wave that travels in a straight line