Question 1

Which of the following best describes the amplitude of a wave?

Accepted Answer

The maximum displacement of any point on the wave from its equilibrium position.

Question 2

A sound wave travels from air into water. Which of the following properties will definitely change as the wave enters the new medium?

Accepted Answer

The speed of the wave.

Question 3

A wave has a frequency of $$500\ \mathrm{Hz}$$ and a wavelength of $$0.68\ \mathrm{m}. $$What is the speed of the wave?

Accepted Answer

$$340\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 4

Which of the following statements about mechanical waves is correct?

Accepted Answer

They require a medium through which to travel.

Question 5

A student observes two identical waves traveling in opposite directions on a string. At certain points, the string appears to be stationary. What phenomenon is being observed?

Accepted Answer

Standing waves

Question 6

Which equation correctly relates the speed $$v$$, frequency $$f$$, and wavelength $$\lambda of a $$wave?

Accepted Answer

$$v = f \lambda$$

Question 7

A person hears the pitch of a siren increase as an ambulance approaches and decrease as it moves away. Which phenomenon explains this observation?

Accepted Answer

The Doppler effect

Question 8

Which of the following best describes constructive interference?

Accepted Answer

When two waves meet in phase and their amplitudes add.

Question 9

A guitar string is plucked, producing a standing wave. If the length of the string is $$L$$ and the speed of the wave on the string is $$v$$, what is the fundamental frequency?

Accepted Answer

$$f_1$$ = \frac{v}{2L}$$

Question 10

Which of the following is a requirement for simple harmonic motion (SHM)?

Accepted Answer

The acceleration is directly proportional to the displacement and directed toward the equilibrium position.

Question 11

A wave passes through a narrow opening and spreads out. This phenomenon is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Diffraction

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why sound cannot travel through a vacuum?

Accepted Answer

Sound is a mechanical wave and requires a medium for propagation.

Question 13

If the amplitude of a wave is doubled, what happens to the energy it carries?

Accepted Answer

The energy increases by a factor of four.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

It doubles.

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the frequency and period of simple harmonic motion?

Accepted Answer

They are determined by the physical properties of the oscillator and do not depend on amplitude.

Question 16

In a Young's double-slit experiment, what is the condition for a bright fringe to appear on the screen?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta L = m \lambda$$, where $$m is an $$integer

Question 17

Which of the following best describes resonance?

Accepted Answer

An object vibrates with maximum amplitude when subjected to a frequency equal to its natural frequency.

Question 18

A sound wave has a frequency of $$1000\ \mathrm{Hz}. $$What is its period?

Accepted Answer

$$0.001\ \mathrm{s}$$

Question 19

Which of the following is a characteristic of longitudinal waves but not transverse waves?

Accepted Answer

The oscillations are parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Question 20

A laser beam passes through a circular aperture. According to Rayleigh's criterion, what is the minimum angular separation $$	heta_R at $$which two points of light can be resolved?

Accepted Answer

$$	heta_R = 1.22 \frac{\lambda}{D}$$

Vibrations, Waves, and Sound: Physics Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards