Wave Quiz

Which letter on the diagram represents wavelength?

• A (red dot)

• D (green line)

• E (blue line)

• F (purple line)

Answer explanation

Wavelength is measured from crest to crest.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Letter A (red dot) represents which wave characteristic?

• Trough

• Amplitude

• Frequency

• Crest

Answer explanation

Crests are the high points of the waves, or the hills.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Which letter represents the wave's amplitude?

• F (purple line)

• E (blue line)

• C (yellow line)

• B (orange dot)

Answer explanation

Amplitude is measured from the resting position up to the crest, OR down to the trough.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Letter B (orange dot) is referred to as. . .

• Trough

• Crest

• Bottom

• Cup

Answer explanation

The low points of waves are called troughs. You can remember this because they form a little cup that would hold water, which is what a trough does.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

This diagram demonstrates a. . .

• Transverse wave

• Longitudinal wave

• Surface wave

• Sound wave

Answer explanation

Transverse waves move up & down, perpendicular to the resting position. This is what forms the crests and troughs.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

This wave that occurs on a slinky or spring is called a . . .

• Transverse wave

• Longitudinal wave

• Radio wave

• Surface wave

Answer explanation

Longitudinal waves occur on slinkys or springs and are parallel to the directing of the wave.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

During constructive interference, the wave's amplitude ______.

• Increases

• Decreases

• Stays the same

Answer explanation

Constructive Interference happens when the crests, or highest points, of one wave overlap the crests of the other wave. This adds the crests together and increases amplitude.

Destructive interference results in an amplitude of zero.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Destructive Interference happens when the crest of one wave overlaps the trough, or lowest point of the other wave. As the wave passes through each other, the crests and troughs cancel each other out to produce a wave with zero amplitude.

Which is not one of the 3 main types of waves?

• Surface waves

• Longitudinal Waves

• Sound waves

• Transverse waves

Answer explanation

Sound waves are not a main type of wave, as they are actually a version of longitudinal waves.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Letter a is an area of ________.

• Crest

• Rarefaction

• Compression

• Trough

Answer explanation

Rarefactions occur on longitudinal waves when the coils are spread far apart.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1