Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between a vibration and a wave?

Accepted Answer

A vibration is a periodic wiggle in time, while a wave is a periodic wiggle in both space and time.

Question 2

A simple pendulum has a length $$L$$ and swings with a period $$T. If $$the length of the pendulum is quadrupled, what happens to the period?

Accepted Answer

The period doubles.

Question 3

Which of the following is the correct formula for the period $$T of a $$simple pendulum of length $$L in a $$gravitational field $$g$$?

Accepted Answer

$$T = 2\pi \sqrt{\dfrac{L}{g}}$$

Question 4

A sound wave has a frequency of $$250\ \mathrm{Hz}. $$What is the period of vibration of the air molecules?

Accepted Answer

$$0.004\ \mathrm{s}$$

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the relationship between frequency $$f$$ and period $$T of a $$wave?

Accepted Answer

$$T = \dfrac{1}{f}$$

Question 6

A water wave has a wavelength of $$5\ \mathrm{m}$$ and a frequency of $$4\ \mathrm{Hz}. $$What is its speed?

Accepted Answer

$$20\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a correct statement about the propagation of waves?

Accepted Answer

Waves transport matter from one place to another.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a transverse wave?

Accepted Answer

Light wave

Question 9

The distance between two adjacent crests of a wave is called its:

Accepted Answer

Wavelength

Question 10

In a longitudinal wave, the wavelength is the distance between:

Accepted Answer

Either two successive compressions or two successive rarefactions

Question 11

Which of the following best describes constructive interference?

Accepted Answer

Two waves meet and their amplitudes add, resulting in a larger amplitude.

Question 12

A standing wave is formed on a string fixed at both ends. The distance between two adjacent nodes is:

Accepted Answer

Half a wavelength

Question 13

If you increase the frequency of a wave on a string by a factor of three (keeping the speed constant), what happens to the wavelength?

Accepted Answer

It decreases to one third its original value.

Question 14

Which of the following phenomena is responsible for the change in pitch of a siren as an ambulance passes by you?

Accepted Answer

Doppler effect

Question 15

A supersonic jet flies faster than the speed of sound. What type of wave pattern does it create?

Accepted Answer

Shock wave

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the Doppler effect is correct?

Accepted Answer

It occurs for both sound and light waves.

Question 17

A guitar string is plucked and forms a standing wave. If the length of the string is $$L$$ and the fundamental wavelength is $$\$$lambda_1$$, what is the relationship between L$ and $$\$$lambda_1$$?

Accepted Answer

$$\$$lambda_1$$ = 2L$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes a bow wave?

Accepted Answer

A V-shaped wave pattern formed when an object moves faster than the wave speed in a medium.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the amplitude of a wave?

Accepted Answer

It is the maximum displacement from the midpoint to a crest or trough.

Question 20

A wave on a pond has a period of $$0.25\ \mathrm{s}$$ and a wavelength of $$2\ \mathrm{m}. $$What is its speed?

Accepted Answer

$$8\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Vibrations and Waves: Key Concepts and Applications

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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