Waves and Sound

What is the amplitude of this wave?

• 5 cm

• 4 cm

• 3 cm

• 2 cm

What is the wavelength of this wave?

• 5 cm

• 4 cm

• 3 cm

• 2 cm

A high-speed camera captured an image of a wave on a guitar string. What type of wave is this?

• transverse & electromagnetic

• transverse & mechanical

• longitudinal & electromagnetic

• longitudinal & mechanical

When a guitar string is plucked, an oscilloscope shows a wave with a length of 3.09 m. If the speed of sound is 340 m/s, which string was plucked?

• 2 (B)

• 3 (G)

• 5 (A)

• 6 (E)

Students are asked if sound travels faster in wood or air. Which responses best explains the answer?

• Wood; sound generally travels better in solids than gases

• Wood; the particles in wood vibrate faster than air particles

• Air; sound generally travels better in gases than solids

• Air; the particles in air vibrate faster then wood particles

Students in different cities perform an experiment to determine the speed of sound in air. Which lab will probably measure the highest speed?

• Atlanta

• Barcelona

• Can Tho

• Dakar

Which best classifies a sound wave produced by a speaker?

• transverse & electromagnetic

• transverse & mechanical

• longitudinal & electromagnetic

• longitudinal & mechanical

A physics student is studying the lowest frequency played by various instruments. Which instrument can produce sound waves with the longest wavelength?

• The flute; wavelength and frequency have a direct relationship

• The flute; wavelength and frequency have an inverse relationship

• The cello; wavelength and frequency have a direct relationship

• The cello; wavelength and frequency have an inverse relationship

A child splashes in a pool and observes the wave travel through the water. How can she increase the speed of the wave?

• Splash with greater frequency

• Splash with greater intensity (push harder)

• Splash to create longer waves

• Impossible; wave speed is determined by the properties of the water

A standing wave is observed in a string. According to the data, what is the period of the wave?

• 0.25 s

• 0.50 s

• 1.0 s

• 2.0 s