Mechanical Waves Practice Test

Which type of wave requires a medium to travel through?

• Electromagnetic waves
• Mechanical waves
• Light waves
• Radio waves

In a transverse wave, particles of the medium move:

• Parallel to the direction of wave travel
• Perpendicular to the direction of wave travel
• In circular motions
• Randomly in all directions

Which of the following is an example of a longitudinal wave?

• Light waves
• Water waves on the ocean surface
• Sound waves in air
• Waves on a vibrating string

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

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

• They are directly proportional
• They are inversely proportional
• They are independent of each other
• They are always equal

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

If a wave has a frequency of 5 Hz, what is its period?

• 5 seconds
• 0.5 seconds
• 0.2 seconds
• 2 seconds

Which property of a wave is related to the energy it carries?

• Wavelength
• Frequency
• Amplitude
• Speed

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

What happens to the speed of a wave when it moves from air into water?

• It increases
• It decreases
• It remains the same
• It becomes zero

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another is called:

• Reflection
• Refraction
• Diffraction
• Interference

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which phenomenon explains why you can hear someone around a corner?

• Reflection
• Refraction
• Diffraction
• Interference

When two waves combine to form a wave with larger amplitude, this is called:

• Destructive interference
• Constructive interference
• Refraction
• Diffraction

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1