Wave Chapter Test Practice Flashcards
(19 cards)
What does the distance between two compressions of a longitudinal wave represent?
Wavelength
Wavelength is a key property of waves that indicates the distance between repeating units of a wave pattern.
Waves originate from:
Vibrations
Vibrations are the source of waves, leading to energy transfer through mediums.
If 100% of the light frequencies do not pass through an object, then the object will exhibit:
100% absorption
This means that all light is absorbed by the object, with none transmitted or reflected.
When a light source is quickly approaching you, you may perceive a:
Blue shift
The blue shift indicates that the light wavelengths are compressed, leading to a shift towards the blue end of the spectrum.
How do we know the Earth’s outer core is liquid?
P waves travel through the center, S waves do not
This difference in wave behavior indicates that the outer core cannot support S waves, confirming its liquid state.
What occurs when vibrations traveling through an object match the object’s natural frequency?
Resonance
Resonance can lead to an increase in amplitude and is a significant concept in wave mechanics.
Waves produced by earthquakes are called:
Seismic waves
Seismic waves are critical for understanding geological processes and the structure of the Earth.
Transverse waves CANNOT travel through:
Liquids
Transverse waves require a solid medium for propagation as they involve displacement perpendicular to wave direction.
What are the highest and lowest points on a standing wave called?
Antinodes
Antinodes are points of maximum amplitude on a standing wave, contrasting with nodes which have minimum amplitude.
The pitch of a musical sound depends on the sound wave’s:
Frequency
Frequency directly correlates to the perceived pitch of sound, with higher frequencies producing higher pitches.
The loudness of a musical sound is a measure of the sound wave’s:
Amplitude
Loudness is associated with the amplitude of sound waves, where greater amplitudes correspond to louder sounds.
Which of the following transmit energy without transmitting matter?
Waves
Waves can convey energy through a medium without the medium itself moving in the direction of the wave.
When an incoming wave combines with a reflected wave in such a way that the combined wave appears to be standing still, the result is a:
Standing wave
Standing waves result from the interference of waves traveling in opposite directions, leading to fixed points of no displacement (nodes).
Which wave property most affects the intensity of loudness of sound?
Amplitude
The intensity of sound is primarily related to its amplitude, with higher amplitudes resulting in louder sounds.
Which of the following frequencies is ultrasonic?
25000 Hz
Ultrasonic frequencies are above the audible range for humans, typically above 20 kHz.
Waves that are produced on a guitar string by plucking it are:
Standing waves
Plucking a guitar string creates standing waves due to the fixed endpoints of the string.
A Doppler effect occurs when a source of sound moves:
Both of these.
The Doppler effect can occur as a sound source approaches or recedes from an observer, affecting perceived frequency.
The Doppler Effect is characteristic of:
All of these.
The Doppler Effect applies to sound, light, and water waves, illustrating its broad relevance in wave physics.
An ambulance is approaching a stationary observer. For the observer, the apparent frequency of the siren compared to the actual frequency of the siren:
Increases
As the ambulance approaches, the sound waves are compressed, leading to a higher perceived frequency.
