Question 1

Which of the following best describes the restoring force in simple harmonic motion?

Accepted Answer

It is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium and acts in the opposite direction.

Question 2

A mass-spring system oscillates with amplitude $$A$$, frequency $$f$$, and phase $$\phi. $$Which equation correctly describes its displacement as a function of time?

Accepted Answer

$$x(t) = A \sin(2\pi f t + \phi)$$

Question 3

Which of the following statements about resonance is correct?

Accepted Answer

Resonance occurs when the frequency of a periodic driving force matches the natural frequency of the system, resulting in a large amplitude.

Question 4

A boat is moored in a fixed location. The distance between wave crests is $$20\ \mathrm{m}$$ and the speed of the waves is $$5\ \mathrm{m/s}. $$How long does it take the boat to go from the top of a crest to the bottom of a trough?

Accepted Answer

$$2\ \mathrm{seconds}$$

Question 5

For a wave on a string moving to the right, what is the direction of the velocity of a particle at the crest?

Accepted Answer

Zero

Question 6

For a wave on a string moving to the right, what is the direction of the acceleration of a particle at the crest?

Accepted Answer

Down

Question 7

Which of the following is true about transverse and longitudinal waves?

Accepted Answer

Transverse waves have particle motion perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, while longitudinal waves have particle motion parallel to it.

Question 8

The velocity of a transverse wave on a string is given by $$v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu}}. If $$the tension $$T is $$doubled and the mass per unit length $$\mu is $$halved, what happens to the wave speed?

Accepted Answer

It increases by a factor of $$2.$$

Question 9

A pulse is sent down a rope of certain thickness and tension. A second rope made of the same material is twice as thick but at the same tension. How will the wave speed in the second rope compare to that of the first?

Accepted Answer

The speed decreases.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes why only longitudinal waves can propagate through fluids?

Accepted Answer

Fluids have no restoring force for transverse motion.

Question 11

The energy transported by a wave is proportional to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The square of the amplitude and the square of the frequency.

Question 12

A spherical wave spreads out from its source. If the power output is constant, how does the intensity $$I at a $$distance $$r$$ from the source vary?

Accepted Answer

$$I \propto \frac{1}{4\pi r^2$}$$

Question 13

Which equation correctly represents a traveling wave moving in the positive $$x-$$direction?

Accepted Answer

$$y(x, t) = A \sin(kx - \omega t)$$

Question 14

Two waves are described by $$y_1(x$$, t) = A \sin(x - t)$$ and y_2$(x, t) = A \sin(2x - 0.8t). $$Which wave has the higher speed?

Accepted Answer

$$y_1$$

Question 15

Which property of a wave is defined as the number of oscillations per unit time?

Accepted Answer

Frequency

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the phase of a wave?

Accepted Answer

It determines the initial position of the oscillation.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about damped harmonic motion?

Accepted Answer

A frictional or drag force causes the amplitude to decrease over time.

Question 18

Which physical property determines the speed of a longitudinal wave in a solid?

Accepted Answer

Young's modulus and mass density

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of wave motion?

Accepted Answer

Mass

Oscillatory Motion and Wave Motion: Study Notes

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