Lesson 2 The Behavior of Mechanical Waves

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a medium through which sound waves can travel?

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

• Vacuum

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a mechanical wave?

• A wave that requires a medium to travel through

• A wave that travels through a vacuum

• A wave that does not require a medium

• A wave that is caused by electromagnetic radiation

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an example of a medium through which mechanical waves can travel?

• Water

• Air

• Rock

• Vacuum

Multiple Select

Select all materials that can act as a medium for mechanical waves.

• Air

• Water

• Steel

• Light

Multiple Choice

Which medium allows sound waves to travel the fastest according to the table?

• Air

• Steel

• Water

• Aluminum

Multiple Select

Select all statements that correctly describe how mechanical waves spread out through a medium over time.

• Mechanical waves spread out in only one direction.

• As a wave spreads out, energy is spread over a larger area.

• The amount of energy in any one part of the wave decreases as the wave spreads out.

• Mechanical waves do not lose energy as they spread out.

Multiple Choice

Which factor increases the amount of energy lost to absorption in a mechanical wave?

• Low frequency

• High frequency

• Low amplitude

• Small diameter

Multiple Choice

What happens when a mechanical wave contacts a new medium?

• It always moves easily into the new medium.

• It can create an echo.

• It disappears completely.

• It changes color.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about partial transmission and reflection of mechanical waves is correct?

• All of the wave is transmitted into the new medium.

• All of the wave is reflected back into the original medium.

• Some of the wave is transmitted, and some is reflected.

• The wave disappears at the boundary.

Open Ended

Ultrasounds use reflection and transmission to generate an image from waves. How might these same principles be used to map a sea floor? Record your evidence.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following problems do engineers address when designing soundproof rooms for musicians?

• Echoes inside the room

• Temperature control

• Lighting issues

• Furniture arrangement

Open Ended

Explain how society and technology can influence each other, using the example of generating a sea floor map with mechanical waves.

Open Ended

What questions do you still have about the behavior of mechanical waves or their properties after today's lesson?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes how mechanical waves transfer energy through a medium?

• By permanently moving matter

• By transferring energy without permanently moving matter

• By creating chemical changes in the medium

• By increasing the temperature of the medium