Nature of Waves Test

Question 1

Wave

Answer 1

A periodic disturbance in a solid, liquid, or gas as energy is transmitted through a medium. Waves can be thought of as energy, or that which can transfer energy. Waves can also be thought of as a disturbance that sends energy through matter or empty space.

Question 2

Mechanical Wave

Answer 2

All mechanical waves, such as sound, water waves, seismic waves, string waves, and spring waves require a physical medium.

Question 3

Non-Mechanical Wave

Answer 3

All non-mechanical waves, such as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultra violet, x-rays, and gamma rays do NOT require a medium, though they can also travel in a medium. Electromagnetic waves can travel in the vacuum of space.

Question 4

Medium

Answer 4

A medium is any physical substance (solid, liquid, or gas) in which a mechanical wave can propagate. A medium can also be thought of as a physical environment in which phenomena occur.

Question 5

Transverse Wave

Answer 5

A transverse wave is one in which the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicularly to the direction of the wave.

Question 6

Longitudinal Wave

Answer 6

A longitudinal wave is one in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave.

Question 7

Surface Wave

Answer 7

A surface wave is the combination of a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave near a boundary or surface.

Question 8

Frequency and Wavelength

Answer 8

Assuming the velocity of a wave stays constant, the frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional. This means that if the frequency of a new wave is tripled, the wavelength will become 1/3 of the original.

Question 9

Interference

Answer 9

Interference is the combination of two or more waves that result in a single wave.

Question 10

Constructive Interference

Answer 10

Constructive interference occurs when the crest of one wave overlaps the crest of another wave.

Question 11

Destructive Interference

Answer 11

Destructive interference occurs when the crest of one wave overlaps the trough of another.

Question 12

Standing Wave

Answer 12

A standing wave is the result of interference of a wave reflecting back on itself. A standing wave creates a pattern of vibration that simulates a wave that is standing still.

Question 13

Echo

Answer 13

A reflected sound wave is known as an echo.

Question 14

Compression and Rarefaction

Answer 14

The part of a longitudinal wave in which the particles are packed tightly together is called compression; the part where the particles are spread apart is called the rarefaction.

Question 15

Wavelength

Answer 15

Wavelength is the measure of the distance between similar points on any 2 adjacent waves, such as crest to crest, or trough to trough.

Question 16

Frequency

Answer 16

The frequency of a wave is the number of wave cycles per unit time, typically measured in Hertz.

Question 17

Amplitude

Answer 17

Amplitude is the maximum distance the particles of a wave’s medium vibrate from their rest position.

Question 18

Refraction

Answer 18

Refraction is the bending of a light wave due to a change in speed as it goes from one medium to another.

Question 19

Diffraction

Answer 19

Diffraction is the change in direction of a wave as it encounters an obstacle, or edge, such as an opening.

Question 20

Reflection

Answer 20

Reflection is the bouncing back of a wave, such as a ray of light, sound, or even heat after it hits a surface.

Question 21

Resonance

Answer 21

Resonance occurs when two objects naturally vibrate at the same frequency.