Unit 12 Waves - TYS MCQ

The graphs represent a wave on the surface of water. On which graph does the length L show the wavelength of the wave?

• A

• B

• C

• D

2. A ripple tank is used to show wave behaviour. The dipper vibrates up and down at a constant frequency. The diagram shows that the wavelength of the wave is different when it passes over the glass block.

What happens to the frequency and to the speed of the wave as it reaches the glass block?

• A: Frequency decreases, speed increases

• B: Frequency decreases, speed remains the same

• C: Frequency remains the same, speed decreases

• D: Frequency remains the same, speed increases

3. The diagram shows two ducks P and Q sitting on a pond. A wave moves across the pond from left to right.

At the moment shown, duck Q is at a maximum displacement and duck P has zero displacement. Which row describes the movement of the ducks during the next half cycle of the wave?

• duck P: only falls, duck Q: only falls

• duck P: falls then rises, duck Q: only falls

• duck P: falls then rises, duck Q: fall then rises

• duck P: only rises, duck Q: fall then rises

4. Compressions and rarefactions are sent out from a loudspeaker cone as it vibrates backwards and forwards. The frequency of vibration is 20 Hz.

Point P is at the centre of a compression.

How much time elapses before the next rarefaction arrives at P?

• A. 0.025 s

• B. 0.050 s

• C. 10 s

• D. 20 s

5. The diagram shows the crests and troughs of a water wave. The frequency of the wave is 2.0 Hz.

Which row shows the wavelength and the speed of the wave?

• A: wavelength = 5.0 m, speed = 2.5 m/s

• B: wavelength = 5.0 m, speed = 10 m/s

• C: wavelength = 10 m, speed = 5.0 m/s

• D: wavelength = 10 m, speed = 20 m/s

6. What happens to the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave as it is refracted?

• A

• B

• C

• D

7. A longitudinal wave travels along a spring.

The diagram represents the position of the coils of the spring at one particular time.

• A: wavelength - X to Y; frequency - 0.5 Hz

• B: wavelength - X to Y; frequency - 2.0 Hz

• C: wavelength - Y to Z; frequency - 0.5 Hz

• D: wavelength - Y to Z; frequency - 2.0 Hz

8. A ripple tank is used to demonstrate refraction of plane water waves.

Waves in deep water have a wavelength of 1.2 cm and a speed of 9.6 cm/s. The wavelength of the waves in shallow water is 0.80 cm.

What is the speed of the waves in the shallow water?

• A. 6.4 cm/s

• B. 8.0 cm/s

• C. 9.6 cm/s

• D. 14 cm/s

9. What is the definition of the amplitude of a wave?

• A. the average displacement from the equilibrium position

• B. the instantaneous displacement from the equilibrium position

• C. the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position

• D. the minimum displacement from the equilibrium position

10. A wave moves across the surface of the water in a ripple tank. In 1.0 minute, a wavefront moves a distance of 12 wavelengths.

What is the frequency of the wave?

• A. 0.20 Hz

• B. 2.5 Hz

• C. 5.0 Hz

• D. 12 Hz