Introduction to Waves

Introduction to Waves

What are waves?

Multiple Choice

Jenny is trying to describe a wave. Which example would be the best description?

• a toy car hitting a wall and bouncing back

• a toy car rear-ending a toy car that then rear-ends another toy car

• two toy cars driving parallel to each other at the same speed

• two toy cars driving away from each other at the same speed

Multiple Choice

Which refers to any disturbance that carries energy from one place to another?

• wave

• trough

• motion

• crest

Multiple Choice

Which game most represents a wave?

• hide and seek

• tic-tac-toe

• poker

• tipping over dominoes

Multiple Choice

Brody and Ethel are arguing about waves. Brody says that waving his hand back and forth is a scientific wave. Ethel says that it is not. Which statement best describes who is correct?

• Brody is correct because the wave involves an input of energy.

• Ethel is correct because energy is not carried from one place to another.

• Brody is correct because the pattern repeats.

• Ethel is correct because the motion has no pattern.

Multiple Choice

Which is a characteristic of all waves?

• All waves carry energy

• All waves move through space

• All waves move through matter, from particle to particle.

• All waves transfer energy parallel to the direction of wave motion.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is best supported by the information in the chart?

• Wave X and Wave Y are mechanical waves, and Wave Z is an electromagnetic wave.

• Wave X and Wave Y are electromagnetic waves, and Wave Z is a mechanical wave.

• Wave X and Wave Z are electromagnetic waves, and Wave Y is a mechanical wave.

• Wave X and Wave Z are mechanical waves, and Wave Y is an electromagnetic wave.

Multiple Choice

Natalia is studying a wave produced in her magnetics lab. This wave can move through the empty space in a vacuum and carries a lot of energy.

What wave is Natalia most likely studying?

• a sound wave

• an ocean wave

• a gamma ray

• an earthquake shock wave

Multiple Choice

A scientist is studying a shock wave from an earthquake. What kind of wave is being studying?

• an electromagnetic wave

• a gamma ray

• a radio wave

• a mechanical wave

Multiple Choice

This Venn diagram is comparing mechanical and electromagnetic waves.

What could be put into the center section of this Venn diagram?

• “Carry energy through space” and “Follow a pattern”

• “Carry energy” and “Follow a pattern”

• “Carry energy through space” and “Can be heard”

• “Carry energy” and “Can be heard”

Multiple Choice

What do sound waves and infrared waves have in common, and what makes them different?

• Both carry energy through space, but sound waves are mechanical and infrared waves are electromagnetic.

• Both can transfer energy through matter, but sound waves travel through air and infrared waves travel through space.

• Both can transfer energy through matter, but sound waves can be heard and infrared waves can be seen.

• Both carry energy through space, but sound waves require matter to pass through and infrared waves do not.

Multiple Choice

Which statement applies to transverse waves?

• The waves have a trough.

• Particles move great distances.

• The waves have alternating compressions and expansions.

• The energy is transferred parallel to the direction of the wave motion.

Multiple Choice

Which best labels the chart?

• Title 1 is “Longitudinal Waves,” and Title 2 is “Transverse Waves.”

• Title 1 is “Transverse Waves,” and Title 2 is “Longitudinal Waves.”

• Title 1 is “Electromagnetic Waves,” and Title 2 is “Mechanical Waves.”

• Title 1 is “Mechanical Waves,” and Title 2 is “Electromagnetic Waves.”

Multiple Choice

What is the motion of the particles in this kind of wave?

• The particles will move up and down over large areas.

• The particles will move up and down over small areas.

• The particles will move side to side over small areas.

• The particles will move side to side over large areas.

Multiple Choice

This Venn diagram is comparing longitudinal waves and transverse waves.

Where is the error in this Venn diagram?

• “Parallel” and “Perpendicular” are switched.

• The spring descriptions of motion are switched.

• Particles move long distances in transverse waves.

• Particles travel along the wave in longitudinal waves.