AP Physics 1: Review of Mechanical Waves

The video tutorial covers fundamental concepts of waves, including mechanical and electromagnetic waves, wave properties like wavelength, amplitude, and frequency, and the principles of wave interference and superposition. It explains standing waves and harmonics in string and wind instruments, discusses sound phenomena such as beat frequency and the Doppler effect, and concludes with a preview of the next lesson on electrostatics.

What is the primary difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

• In longitudinal waves, the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

• In transverse waves, the disturbance is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

• Transverse waves require a medium, while longitudinal waves do not.

• In transverse waves, the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Which type of wave does not require a medium to travel?

• Water waves

• Electromagnetic waves

• Seismic waves

• Sound waves

What is the term for the distance between two successive crests of a wave?

• Wavelength

• Amplitude

• Frequency

• Period

How is wave velocity related to frequency and wavelength?

• Velocity equals frequency divided by wavelength.

• Velocity equals frequency times wavelength.

• Velocity equals wavelength divided by frequency.

• Velocity equals frequency plus wavelength.

What happens during constructive interference of waves?

• Waves reflect off each other.

• Waves combine to form a larger wave.

• Waves cancel each other out completely.

• Waves pass through each other without any change.

What is a node in a standing wave?

• A point where waves reflect

• A point of maximum displacement

• A point where waves combine

• A point of no displacement

In a closed pipe instrument, what is the relationship between the wavelength and the length of the pipe for the fundamental frequency?

• Wavelength equals half the length of the pipe.

• Wavelength equals four times the length of the pipe.

• Wavelength equals two times the length of the pipe.

• Wavelength equals the length of the pipe.

What is the beat frequency when two notes of 440 Hz and 442 Hz are played together?

• 1 Hz

• 3 Hz

• 4 Hz

• 2 Hz

What happens to the frequency of a sound as the source moves towards an observer?

• The frequency decreases.

• The frequency remains the same.

• The frequency increases.

• The frequency becomes zero.

What is the Doppler effect?

• A change in wave direction due to reflection.

• A change in wave amplitude due to interference.

• A change in wave frequency due to the motion of the source or observer.

• A change in wave speed due to medium change.