Waves

A crayon placed on a dark driveway in bright sunlight melted into a colorful puddle. What caused the crayon to melt?

• Solar radiation heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by conduction.

• Solar radiation heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by radiation.

• Solar convection heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by radiation.

• Solar convection heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by conduction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Which of these factors affects how fast a sound wave moves?

• the kind of material it is moving through

• the amplitude of the sound wave’s vibrations

• the wavelength of the disturbance in the medium

• the type of motion that caused the sound wave to form

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which statement correctly describes how a sound wave travels through air?

• The wave carries molecules of air away from the source of the sound.

• The wave carries energy that causes molecules to move back and forth.

• The wave carries a molecule in one direction until it collides with another molecule.

• The wave moves through the air and gains energy from the moving molecules that it touches.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

This is a wave pattern diagram for two transverse waves. How do the waves compare?

• Both waves have the same frequency.

• Both waves have the same wavelength.

• Wave 1 has a longer wavelength than Wave 2.

• Wave 1 has a higher frequency than Wave 2.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

An elephant can use its voice to communicate with other elephants far away. A bat flying close to the elephant cannot hear the message, though. Why can’t the bat hear the elephant?

• Elephants make sound waves at frequencies lower than bats can hear.

• Elephants make sound waves at frequencies higher than bats can hear.

• Elephants make sound waves that are too loud for bats to hear.

• Elephants make sound waves that are too soft for bats to hear.

A sound wave travels at different speeds through different substances. Through which substance would a sound wave travel faster?

• solid ground

• bright light

• outer space

• dry air

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

A thick pillow is placed against part of a stereo speaker. How does the pillow affect the sound waves coming from the speaker?

• The sound waves are absorbed.

• The sound waves are increased.

• The sound waves are reflected.

• The sound waves are destroyed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Bruce plays his violin every Friday night for the symphony. Before he plays, he plucks each string to see if his violin is in tune. Which is MOST responsible for the generation of sound

waves from his violin?

• material of the violin

• vibrations of the string

• movement of the violin

• composition of the string

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

A student discovered that the sound of a fork tapping on a drinking glass changed when water was added to the glass. Which statement would be the MOST likely conclusion?

• The thickness of the glass interferes with the vibration of the fork.

• Sound quality varies with the type of liquid used.

• Sound travels faster in water than through the air.

• The amount of water in the glass affects how fast the glass vibrates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

A longitudinal wave, such as a sound wave, can travel through

• solids only.

• liquids only.

• gas, liquids, and solids.

• gas and a vacuum only.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2